- 14 Mar 2002
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Did the defendant shout, "Go to a door" in English, or "gōtō da" (This is a robbery) in Japanese?
Supposedly, Mr Otto was an English teacher.
Some language barriers led to a misunderstanding that resulted in an Australian man being jailed for breaking into a home in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in June 2023. Daniel Mathew Otto, 32, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Tokyo District Court on Friday. The court found him guilty of breaking into a home and injuring an elderly resident but dismissed his claim that he was attempting to warn the man of a potential gas leak. Otto had already spent 240 days in detention before the sentencing and will now serve an additional 490 days.
Otto's defence team argued that he smelled gasoline when he passed by the victim's home and had told the 70-year-old man in English to "Go to a door!" and "Can you walk?" The victim, meanwhile, claimed that the defendant shouted "gōtō da" and "Kane wa doko da?" (Where is the money?) in Japanese.
The judge, Jun Shimato, dismissed Otto's claim that he was trying to warn the resident of a gas leak. The judge pointed out several inconsistencies in Otto's story, including his attempt to unlock a window with a gardening tool and his forceful entry into the home. The judge also questioned why Otto didn't use the intercom to warn the resident or call the police after leaving the scene. Furthermore, the absence of any gasoline smell on the balcony, as testified by the victim's wife and a police officer, further undermined Otto's account. While the prosecution sought a six-year prison sentence, the court ultimately sentenced Otto to two years for breaking and assault. Otto's defence lawyer, Rie Nishida, plans to appeal the verdict, deeming it unreasonable. Otto himself expressed relief at not being convicted of robbery.
Supposedly, Mr Otto was an English teacher.
Some language barriers led to a misunderstanding that resulted in an Australian man being jailed for breaking into a home in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in June 2023. Daniel Mathew Otto, 32, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Tokyo District Court on Friday. The court found him guilty of breaking into a home and injuring an elderly resident but dismissed his claim that he was attempting to warn the man of a potential gas leak. Otto had already spent 240 days in detention before the sentencing and will now serve an additional 490 days.
Otto's defence team argued that he smelled gasoline when he passed by the victim's home and had told the 70-year-old man in English to "Go to a door!" and "Can you walk?" The victim, meanwhile, claimed that the defendant shouted "gōtō da" and "Kane wa doko da?" (Where is the money?) in Japanese.
The judge, Jun Shimato, dismissed Otto's claim that he was trying to warn the resident of a gas leak. The judge pointed out several inconsistencies in Otto's story, including his attempt to unlock a window with a gardening tool and his forceful entry into the home. The judge also questioned why Otto didn't use the intercom to warn the resident or call the police after leaving the scene. Furthermore, the absence of any gasoline smell on the balcony, as testified by the victim's wife and a police officer, further undermined Otto's account. While the prosecution sought a six-year prison sentence, the court ultimately sentenced Otto to two years for breaking and assault. Otto's defence lawyer, Rie Nishida, plans to appeal the verdict, deeming it unreasonable. Otto himself expressed relief at not being convicted of robbery.
Australian man claiming language mix-up jailed over Tokyo break-in
He claimed he was trying to warn the home owner of danger by telling him to “Go to a door.” The victim heard him shout “gōtō da” (This is a robbery) instead.