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He was also convicted of assault and abuse in close
relationships. In addition to the prison sentence, Høiby was
ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
Høiby, 29, had been charged with sexually assaulting four women
who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and
2024.
He faced a total of 40 criminal charges including some for
lesser offenses, such as assault, drug-related crimes and
violations of a restraining order.
Høiby had denied the rape allegations but admitted to several of
the lesser offenses.
Prosecutors had asked Oslo District Court to sentence him to
seven years and seven months in prison, while defense lawyers
had argued that he should be acquitted of the rape allegations
and receive no more than 18 months for offenses he had admitted
to.
The sentence is not final and Høiby can appeal.
Høiby was not present in court on Monday because of health
reasons. He watched the reading of the verdict via a video link
from prison.
The six-week trial concluded in March after testimony from
multiple accusers and presentation of evidence, including
messages, images and videos from Høiby’s cellphone.
The case has generated intense international attention because
of Høiby’s connection to the royal family. Although he holds no
royal title and has no official duties, he's the son of Crown
Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship before her marriage to
Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to Norway’s throne, and he grew up
in the household with the future king.
Interest has intensified in recent days as Mette-Marit’s health
has deteriorated. The crown princess, who has pulmonary fibrosis
and is awaiting a lung transplant, has been at the center of
legal arguments over whether her son should be granted temporary
release from custody before the verdict. Appeals courts ruled
that Høiby should remain detained while awaiting judgment.
The trial has also unfolded amid renewed scrutiny of the royal
family following disclosures about Mette-Marit’s past contacts
with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender. She has
publicly apologized for the association and said she exercised
poor judgment in maintaining contact with him. She isn't accused
of any wrongdoing.
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