Patrick Sommerlath, 52, denies buying sex

Royally  

 

Hovet (Royal House) 

 

Silvia's nephew refuses to buy sex  

 

Ebba Torstensson, 

  

Martin Palmborg 

 

Updated 11.55 | Published 08.25  

 

Silvia's nephew Patrick Sommerlath now comes forward.  

 

He is the relative of the royal family who was accused of buying sex. 

 

- I deliberately chose to deviate from Sweden. In people's eyes, I would still be a sex offender, he says to Svensk Damtidning.

 

The police caught suspicions of buying sex after a reconnaissance operation at a massage parlor in Östermalm.  

 

The address was guarded by the police and the salon received hundreds of sex buyers during a period when Patrick Sommerlath visited it. 

 

He allegedly sent several payments via Swish. First 250 kroner and then another 1,000 kroner. The second payment indicates the purchase of sex, according to police. Something Sommerlath denied. 

  

FACTS  

 

The case in brief Patrick Sommerlath was charged with having bought sexual services in connection with an investigation into a brothel at Östermalm in Stockholm. However, he could not be found before the statute of limitations for the crime expired, leading to his acquittal.​​​​  

 

This incident is part of a larger investigation into a Thai brothel in Östermalm. In connection with the investigation, several other men have been punished for buying sex. For example, an entertainment profile was sentenced to 50 daily fines for buying sexual services and admitted the crime. 

"Cooperated with the police" 

In an interview with Svenska damtidning, he tells about the story himself. He tells the newspaper that "the story is absurd".  

When asked if he bought sex at a massage parlor, he says: 

 - 100% no!  I have cooperated with the police all the way. I was convinced they would dismiss me as a sex offender. 1: because I did not commit the crime and 2: because there is therefore no evidence to support it.  

Located abroad  

Sommerlath was charged, but has not been charged because the police have not caught him. 

The crime was statute-barred on Sunday.  

He says he left Sweden on Tuesday last week to avoid being served. 

- I knew that in the same second people will think they know that I am guilty, says Patrick Sommerlath to Svensk Damtidning.  

The reason why he chooses to come forward is the focus directed at the royal family. 

- The royal couple has been hanged. It is completely absurd what is happening. Really crazy how they have been hanged. It's not pretty. The court has also suffered because of this, he tells the newspaper.  

Been like a brother to the gang kids 

Patrick Sommerlath has had a close relationship with the royal family, according to Aftonbladet's court expert Jenny Alexandersson. 

- He has grown up with the whole family and has been like a brother to Victoria, Carl-Philip and Madeleine, she says. 

Sommerlath says that he informed the queen about the suspicions against him, but that there was no dialogue regarding the service or that he went abroad. 

- This is serious for the royal family. Among other things, because the queen is very high-profile in matters related to trafficking and sexual abuse, says Jenny Alexandersson. 

The explanation for the double swish  

More sex purchase targets have been linked to the massage parlor through double Swish payments.  

Something that the investigators believe is a way to pay for sexual services. Sommerlath did a double swipe when he visited the salon, but believes he bought massage products. 

- I have had problems with my back and neck since 2010, chronic pain. Going to meetings with doctors, surgeons, pain clinics, acupuncturists and massages is everyday for me. Over the years, I have bought everything from ergonomic pillows, oils, and clipboards, among other things, at such places, he says to Svensk Damtidning and continues: 

- Therefore, it is not strange to me at all, both that I have been to a massage and also that I bought a product separately. Many of the places sell products on the side, and the witness has also spoken in the interrogation about both dietary supplements and clip cards, something the police did not speak too loudly about. 

Patrick Sommerlath together with the royal couple. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer /TT