JELLY drummer sentenced to seven years

Kohei Shimizu (29), the drummer of now-defunct rock band JELLY→, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. The ruling was handed down in Tokyo District Court on Tuesday, during the case’s first hearing.

Shimizu admitted to the charges against him. In November, he was arrested for abduction and forced indecency. On September 9, he had stopped his car on a residential road in Tokyo’s Suginami ward. He grabbed a nine-year-old girl by the arm and forced her into the back seat of the car. After taking pictures of her chest and molesting her for roughly five minutes, Shimizu released the girl. The crime, which took place in the afternoon, was discovered through a neighborhood surveillance camera.

During questioning, Shimizu stated that he had been interested in young girls ever since he was in high school. He said that he knew he was committing a crime but that he was unable to stop himself.

Shimizu’s lawyer is appealing for leniency. A final decision is expected to be made on February 12.

Source:
Sponichi Annex