Ogre man ordered to 200 hours community service for breaching protection order
A prosecutor in Austrumzemgale has closed a criminal case against Kārlis F., who stayed within 42 metres of a residence he was banned from approaching, imposing 200 hours of community service.
On 14 July, a prosecutor from the Austrumzemgale prosecutor's office examined a criminal case in Ogre in which Kārlis F., whose name has been changed, faced charges of disobeying a court ruling. On 3 February this year, the Zemgale Regional Court had imposed temporary protection measures against violence, including a ban on coming within 250 metres of a dwelling where five people reside permanently.
Although he was aware of the decision and that breaking it carried criminal liability, between 5 and 17 February he stayed at another dwelling located less than 42 metres from the address he was forbidden to approach. The prosecutor's office considered this a wilful failure to comply with the court's protection ruling.
The accused fully admitted his guilt, accepted the factual circumstances and legal classification of the charge, and expressed remorse. No one was recognised as a victim in the criminal case, and no compensation was requested. No aggravating circumstances were found. However, the prosecution stressed that the absence of harmful consequences alone was not enough to treat the offence as trivial.
The pre-trial investigation showed that the man is a Latvian citizen, unmarried, with secondary technical education, and employed in casual work. He supports four minor dependants and has no previous convictions. He had also completed a violence-reduction course and received a certificate.
The prosecutor decided to finish the criminal process by issuing a prosecutor's penalty order: 200 hours of community service. In the prosecution's view, this will discipline the man, involve him in unpaid work needed by society and reduce the likelihood of further offences. Once the order takes effect, he must register with the Ogre branch of the Zemgale regional unit of the State Probation Service.
