Prosecutors decided just before the weekend not to appeal the court-ordered release of the Norwegian pedophile Erik Andersen, best known as Lommemannen (The Pocket Man). He assaulted 66 young boys over a period of several years, setting off one of Norway’s largest criminal investigations ever, but court psychiatrists argued successfully that he’s no longer dangerous.
That prompted a local court to agree that he was eligible for parole after serving just seven years of his protective custody sentence of 10 years. When prosecutors opted against appealing his release, he’s expected to be allowed to move home to Voss in western Norway, under the supervision of Norwegian corrections authorities.
Andersen has said he intends to build a new house for himself in Voss and live in a cabin until it’s finished. News bureau NTB reported that he won’t be allowed to live anywhere else and his movements will be restricted to Hordaland County, where Voss is located, unless he receives special permission to travel elsewhere.
He won’t be allowed to visit public swimming pools or sports facilities and he can’t have any contact with children under the age of 16 unless another adult is present, according to NTB. He must continue to undergo psychiatric treatment and comply with restraining orders against all his previous victims.
newsinenglish.no staff
