Former Aichi facility worker sentenced to three years for assaulting people with intellectual disabilities

From The Chunichi Shimbun

September 8 2021

NAGOYA – A former employee, Ariyuki Mizuno (46), who was accused of assaulting two residents at a facility for the disabled in Higashiura Town, Aichi Prefecture, was sentenced by the Nagoya District Court on the 7th. The prosecutor’s office pointed out that it was a sneaky abuse of people with intellectual disabilities who could not be sued for damage, and sentenced him to three years in prison. The defense closed the case for a generous ruling, saying, “I couldn’t control my emotions and kicked unintentionally.”

The prosecution insisted in a statement that “there is no room for motivation to get angry at the victim’s failure to follow the instructions.” The defense said, “It should be taken into consideration that we have been enthusiastic about supporting persons with disabilities.”

Defendant Mizuno apologized in the final statement, crying, “I never hated the residents and I don’t know why I did that.”