Olympic 5000m champion says he has “no motives for mendacity” as prosecutors name for two-and-a-half jail time period for his father
Jakob Ingebrigtsen informed a courtroom in Norway this week that he finds it “embarrassing to be a sufferer of home violence”.
The 24-year-old was talking on the ultimate day of the trial of his father and former coach, Gjert.
Prosecutors have advisable that Gjert is given a jail sentence of two-and-a-half years for bodily and verbally abusing Jakob and his youthful sister, Ingrid, though Gjert’s authorized group have questioned the allegations and referred to as for a whole acquittal.
“It’s embarrassing to be a sufferer of home violence,” Jakob stated. “I do know what I’ve skilled with the defendant since I used to be a little bit boy and I’ve had no motives for mendacity. It’s embarrassing to be a sufferer for our household and it doesn’t match into the picture you have got of your self and your loved ones. We are going to all carry baggage with us from this trial.”
He added: “For me and my siblings, the courtroom proceedings in Sandnes have had main and harrowing penalties, no matter what the decision shall be. We’ve recognized this all alongside, but it was necessary to inform our story.”
Citing the predicament of others, he stated: “Many kids expertise related challenges to these we now have talked about. Many have it worse. I sincerely hope that these are usually not forgotten when the cameras are turned off within the district courtroom.
“There have been lots of them, and, after all, I’ve observed that the trial has dominated the newspaper headlines each day. It has been a fantastic burden and one thing I might have appreciated to have prevented. On the similar time, I respect that it needed to be this manner. A number of of us have sought publicity. And I’m glad that we now have a system of governance the place the press can make clear what is going on in courtroom.
“I really feel a fantastic sense of aid now that I now not have to cover something. Will this have an effect on me as an athlete? Completely. Nevertheless it has additionally introduced us siblings and my new household nearer collectively. Which means greater than anything.
“One factor has not modified, nevertheless: I nonetheless don’t need to reply questions from the press about this case. My story has been completely defined in courtroom. Alternatively, my little prayer and attraction to all of you journalists who’ve adopted the case and are nonetheless burning with questions is: as a substitute, use the facility you need to point out those that actually need mentioning.
“Ask as a substitute how we may help all these kids who are usually not doing effectively. Those that are usually not ready to maneuver on with their lives. Not all of them can run away from their issues, like I’ve.”
A verdict is anticipated on June 16.
