Traditional music performer from Galați sentenced to 17 years and six months for child sexual abuse
Magistrates at Galați Court of Appeal have handed down a final sentence of 17 years and six months against a folk singer who sexually abused minor pupils.
Traditional music performer from Galați sentenced to 17 years and six months for child sexual abuse
On 16 June, magistrates at Galați Court of Appeal issued a final ruling sentencing a traditional music artist to 17 years and six months' imprisonment. Aurică Totolici was found guilty of multiple serious offences committed against children, according to information published by G4Media.ro.
The man was found guilty of repeatedly engaging in coerced sexual relations with a minor, subjecting children to degrading treatment, facilitating sexual contact between minors, and corrupting them. In addition to his prison sentence, the court suspended certain of his rights and ordered him to pay €10,000 each to two of the victims as moral damages.
Prosecutors from Galați District Court's office coordinated the investigation, with support from specialised police officers investigating serious crimes from Galați County Police Headquarters. Initially, suspicions focused on two boys who were receiving lessons from the accused. Later, a third person was identified as a victim.
During searches at the suspect's residence, investigators discovered video images that incriminated him. These showed minors being forced to commit serious sexual acts whilst being filmed by the man who was teaching them singing lessons.
In the summer of 2024, authorities detained the artist provisionally. Judges extended this measure throughout the trial proceedings until the final judgment. The ruling also includes entry of his name in the National Register of Sex Offenders, and the individual's genetic profile will be stored in the national database for judicial identification.
For over two decades, the convicted man worked as a performer at the Lower Danube Cultural Centre in Galați and was a member of the Doina Covurluiului Folk Ensemble. He had retired two years before his arrest.
Source: G4Media