The prosecution has requested two and a half years in prison for Gjert Ingebrigtsen for assaulting two of his children.
This is the running star Jakob Ingebrigtsen – multiple Olympic Games and World Championship gold medalist – and one of his siblings who have accused their father and former coach of assault and abuse.
The prosecutors believe that the suspected assault of Jakob Ingebrigtsen has taken place over a ten-year period and that his sister has been exposed for four years.
In addition to imprisonment, Gjert Ingebrigtsen also risks being liable to pay damages.
”Great attention”
It's about 200,000 Norwegian kronor to each child, says journalist Stian Grythaugen at the news agency NTB, and continues to give his view on the situation:
There is great anticipation for the verdict on Monday. The entire trial has received very broad media coverage in Norway and everything has been followed with great attention all the way.
In parallel with the trial, father Gjert has continued his work as a coach. Last week, he coached his new protégé, the Portuguese Jose Carlos Pinto, to a new personal best in Oslo.
The Portuguese does not want to speculate on what a possible verdict may have for consequences for the cooperation between him and Ingebrigtsen, but chooses to praise his coach.
I'm not thinking about it. Monday will come and then we'll see. He is the world's best coach, says Pinto, according to NTB.
Norwegian hurdle star Karsten Warholm has personally distanced himself from the trial.
”Too late now”
The court is the last instance and then we get the verdict, he says.
In connection with the last day of the trial a month ago, Jakob Ingebrigtsen wrote an open letter about the media pressure.
When you are in the public eye, such things become public. It's a difficult thing and not something you want to talk about. But it's probably too late now, says Warholm.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen denies the crime.
