In a chilling case that unfolded in the Yanggao People’s Court in Shanxi province, China, a man named Xi has been sentenced to three years in prison for the heinous crime of rape against his fiancée, according to the South China Morning Post.
Love Turned Tragic: A Timeline of Events
Xi and the unnamed woman met on a blind date in January, quickly progressing to engagement by May. The engagement ceremony, marked by a significant bride price and a ring, set the stage for what would become a tragic turn of events.
The celebratory engagement, marked by the exchange of gifts, hinted at the tragedy that would later unfold.
The day after a joyous engagement feast hosted by the woman’s family, Xi invited his fiancée to his flat. Despite her firm refusals, he forcibly subjected her to sexual assault.
A surveillance camera captured the distressing moment when Xi chased and dragged the victim back to his flat after she attempted to escape.
The victim reported the rape promptly, leading to Xi’s sentencing to three years in prison. Documented bruises on her arms and wrists provided tangible evidence of the crime.
Shockingly, the victim’s family attempted an unsettling compromise – forcing the woman to marry her rapist.
The Dark Side: Victim’s Family’s Reaction
One of the most shocking revelations was the victim’s family’s attempt to coerce the woman into marrying her rapist. They even agreed to delay the full payment of the bride price to expedite the wedding, aiming to shield Xi from legal consequences.
The willingness to postpone the bride price payment underscored a disturbing belief that marriage would absolve Xi of legal consequences.
Legal Consequences for Rapists in China
The court’s official announcement clarified the sentencing guidelines for rape cases in China, indicating a three to ten-year imprisonment range. Xi’s three-year sentence falls within this legal framework.