Korneuburg court defers case against 16-year-old for diversion

A court in Korneuburg has adjourned proceedings against a 16-year-old indefinitely to allow a diversion programme, ORF reported. The teenager is accused of repeatedly coercing and assaulting a younger classmate over several months, including sexually.

Under the agreement, the 16-year-old must complete 100 hours of community service within six months. The proceedings will then be discontinued, according to a spokesperson for the Korneuburg Regional Court.

The accused and the 15-year-old had also reached an out-of-court agreement before the hearing for the payment of 2,500 euros in compensation, the court said.

The alleged incidents took place between early September 2025 and the end of April 2026, reportedly in the Gänserndorf district. The 16-year-old is accused of repeatedly threatening the classmate with serious bodily harm and killing, and of choking him.

The teenager was also accused of using threats over an extended period to force the classmate to hand over food, other items and cash. The charges included extortion, sexual coercion, coercion, offences involving visual sexual child abuse material and sexual depictions of minors, and intentional bodily injury.

During a school trip, the accused allegedly forced the classmate to buy a bottle of strong alcohol and consume most of it. The 15-year-old reportedly became more than one per mille over the limit, vomited and later lost consciousness.

Diversion allows prosecutors or courts to waive formal criminal proceedings when the facts have been sufficiently clarified, provided the accused agrees to a burdensome measure such as community service.