A Norwegian district court judge wasted little time on Wednesday in denying a request from Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to be released from police custody. Høiby wanted to trade his jail cell for the house where he’s earlier lived on the grounds of the royal estate.
Høiby, age 29, is awaiting a court verdict after his recent lengthy trial on charges ranging from rapes and other violence to vandalism, narcotics violations and reckless driving. Prosecutors have asked that he be sentenced to at least seven years in prison, and succeeded in keeping him jailed while court deliberations continue.
On Wednesday he was back in court, on his request to be released from custody in prison. He wanted to instead be equipped with a foot link that would monitor his movements and keep him confined, but at home on the crown couple’s estate at Skaugum west of Oslo.
He complained that he has “extremely limited human contact” under his current prison accommodation, where he’s reportedly kept away from other prisoners for his own safety. He told the judge that he’s only allowed “two to three visitors a week,” with the visits only lasting around an hour at a time.
Norwegian media allowed into the courtroom reported that Høiby has grown a beard and moustache during his confinement and claimed that he’s suffering from being isolated. Apart from his visitors, Høiby said he only has contact with prison staff, and wants “to do everything possible” to get out of his cell.
“I very much want to be closer to family and friends, and avoid being in the cell so many hours a day,” Høiby said.
He has, however, a long track record of ignoring restraining orders against former girlfriends and others whom he’s allegedly attacked. Prosecutors argued there was still a high risk he would violate them again, to which Høiby responded that there was no longer any danger of that: “I have received a clear message that there are no ‘second chances.'”
His defense attorney Rene Ibsen also tried to assure the judge that Høiby wouldn’t approach women he’s earlier assaulted. Ibsen stressed that Høiby would remain in his own house at Skaugum, and that his foot link alarm would be set off if he left areas to which he was confined.
Judge Hans Nikolai Førde didn’t believe either Høiby or Ibsen. Førde ruled that the danger of further violations had not declined, noting that Høiby’s use of his own mobile phone presented potential for new violations. He rejected Høiby’s appeal for release after just a 15-minute pause for deliberation.
Ibsen claimed he’d file an immediate appeal on Høiby’s behalf, calling the court’s decision both “surprising and disappointing.” Prosecutors were relieved and satisfied, and Høiby was sent back to his prison cell. A ruling on his case is due in June.
There was no comment from the Royal Palace. His step-father Crown Prince Haakon was on an official visit in southeastern Norway on Wednesday but avoided any meetings with reporters and their questions.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
