Gjert Ingebrigtsen Found Guilty of Lesser Charges Amid Domestic Abuse Allegations

Gjert Ingebrigtsen, the father of double Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, has been convicted for striking his younger daughter, Ingrid, with a wet towel, resulting in a suspended sentence of 15 days. Although prosecutors sought a much harsher penalty, asserting a long history of physical and verbal abuse towards both of his children, the court found insufficient evidence to convict him on the more severe allegations related to Jakob.

Ingrid, who left the family home at the age of 15 following troubling incidents, was granted 10,000 kroner in compensation by the court. This latest ruling adds to the family's complicated history, particularly after they gained fame through the reality series "The Ingebrigtsens," which revealed their exceptional and often eccentric lifestyle.

During the trial, Jakob testified that he had endured domestic violence from his father, recounting specific instances that he described as severe abuse, including being punched and kicked. He recounted a chilling memory from his childhood, where his father reacted aggressively after receiving negative feedback from school, delivering multiple punches.

The court was also informed about Gjert's treatment of Ingrid, who endured threatening behavior, culminating in an incident where he whipped her with a towel. Although Gjert admitted to being demanding as a coach while guiding his sons to success in athletics, he refuted all claims of abuse and expressed sorrow over his relationship with Ingrid, saying he thinks about her constantly and deeply regrets the way things turned out.