Matvei Rumiantsev, 23, was sentenced to four years in prison Friday for assaulting a woman in London, an attack witnessed via FaceTime by Barron Trump, the youngest son of President Donald Trump.
Background
The assault occurred on Jan. 18 last year in London. Rumiantsev, a receptionist who lived in the city, became jealous after learning the victim had befriended Barron Trump through social media. The woman, who is entitled to anonymity under U.K. law, had met the president's son online.
During the attack, Rumiantsev answered a FaceTime call from Barron Trump on the woman's phone and turned the camera to show her crying on the floor. The then-18-year-old Trump, now 19, immediately called emergency services in London.
The Charges
Rumiantsev was convicted by a jury on Jan. 28 of assault with bodily harm. He was acquitted of rape and choking charges. He was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after sending the victim a letter from jail asking her to retract her allegations.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London, Justice Joel Bennathan described Rumiantsev as "totally unrepentant" and "a man given to jealousy."
Key Takeaways
- Barron Trump witnessed the assault via FaceTime and called London police for help
- The defendant was sentenced to four years in prison
- Trump told emergency operators he didn't know details but emphasized "she's getting beat up"
- The judge warned jurors to treat Trump's accounts with caution since he wasn't subject to cross-examination
- Trump provided a written statement to the court but did not testify
What's Next
The conviction and sentencing mark the conclusion of this high-profile case. Rumiantsev will serve his four-year sentence in the U.K. prison system. The victim's anonymity protections remain in place under British law.