Norway Crown Prince's Stepson Sentenced to 4 Years for Rape

An Oslo court on Monday found Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, guilty of 34 offenses and sentenced the 29-year-old to four years in prison. The charges include two counts of rape, domestic violence, serious bodily harm, abuse in close relationships, physical assault, threats, six counts of sexually offensive behavior, three counts of violating a restraining order, and other offenses, reports the Guardian. He was cleared on two additional rape charges and has the right to appeal, notes NBC News. Prosecutors had sought a term of seven years and seven months. Høiby, who grew up in the public eye after his mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, denied the most serious allegations but admitted to some lesser charges.

The seven-week trial captivated Norway, with testimony about Høiby's drug use, self-recorded sex videos, and hundreds of electronic messages; one rape was said to have occurred in the basement of the crown prince's home. The case unfolded as the monarchy's popularity dipped, amid criticism of Mette-Marit's past contact with Jeffrey Epstein. Polls show support for keeping the monarchy has slipped from 70% in January to 64% in May. The verdict also comes as Mette-Marit, who has pulmonary fibrosis and is on a lung transplant list, faces what doctors say is likely to be her final year of life without a transplant.