A 64-year-old man who pleaded guilty to two counts of defilement and indecent assault of a minor was this morning sent to jail for four years by High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar.

The court heard that the elderly man indecently assaulted and defiled a girl between 1st January 2004 and 31st August 2008 when she was a primary school student.

The incident first occurred when the girl was 12 years old and the man was 58.

The court heard that the 64-year-old lured the victim by giving food, money and gifts and indecently assaulted her.

The court also heard that from 2006 onwards, the girl who was then 14 years old gave her consent until she became pregnant in 2008 and gave birth to a baby girl.

In mitigation, the man's counsel informed the court that his client is now 64 years old, was never married and that his brother offered a traditional apology to the girl's family which was not accepted and the he was remorseful.

However, Judge Justice Daniel Goundar said there was an age difference between the man and the complainant, the exploitation of the complainant by luring her with gifts and money over a period of time, the girl's pregnancy and the loss of educational opportunities for her.

Judge Goundar sentenced the 64-year-old to three years for defilement and 12 months for indecent assault.


Story by: Praneeta Deo and Paradise Tabucala