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Jakob Ingebrigtsen's father acquitted of violent abuse
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 16.06.25. | 18:36
The 59-year-old was however found guilty of one violent incident involving his daughter Ingrid
Gjert Ingebrigtsen, father to Norwegian track star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has been cleared of abusing the middle-distance champion but was handed a suspended prison sentence for assaulting his daughter.
A Monday, 16 June court ruling found that there was “insufficient evidence” of Jakob’s testimonies that described his childhood as one that was shaped by fear, threats, violence and control.
Just days after his golden double in the 1500m and 3,000m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China in March, the two-time Olympic champion told a court in Sandnes of his fearful upbringing, accusing his father of slapping him twice in 2008, being kicked in the stomach after falling off a scooter in 2009, and being struck multiple times following a negative school report when he was eight.
The 24-year-old also detailed tensions between him and his father regarding his relationship with his now-wife, Elisabeth Asserson.
Jakob’s brothers - Filip and Henrik - also published allegations of physical violence and abusive behaviour in a Norwegian newspaper column.
But at the conclusion of the lengthy trial that lasted from 24 March to 15 May, a Norway court acquitted Gjert, saying: "Even though Jakob and his brothers and spouses have given credible statements, the total weight of the statements and other evidence reviewed means that the court must conclude that there is reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt."
However, the 59-year-old was found guilty of one violent incident involving his daughter, Ingrid.
In her testimony, Ingrid, 19, told the court her father hit her in the face with a wet towel in January 2022 -- a picture taken that day showed her with a red cheek.
He said he was aiming for her finger, which she was pointing at him during a row.
The court therefore handed Ingebrigtsen Sr. a 15-day suspended prison sentence, while ordering him to pay Ingrid 10,000 kroner (Ksh130,494) in damages.
The Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence, and speaking to AFP after the ruling, Jakob’s and Ingrid’s lawyer, Mette Larsen, said when asked of their client’s reactions to the verdict: “They didn't say they were disappointed. They said they were surprised.”
