High Court upheld the 10-year jail sentence imposed on a man convicted of sexually abusing a child.
An island magistrate court in Lhaviyani Atoll pronounced him guilty last year, four years after the crime occurred in 2015. Authorities did not disclose the identity or island in order to protect the identity of the minor.
Following the man's appeal of the case, the High Court concluded the trial last Wednesday, declaring that the testimonies of the victim and witnesses, as well as forensic evidence gathered from the suspect's room all matched. The ruling further noted that any manner of touching a child with sexual intent constitutes a crime, and requires no further proof of any other damage the child might have sustained.
Furthermore, the High Court stated that sufficient time had been provided to prepare for the trial, and thus there were no grounds to claim obstructions to the defence.
Thus, the judges bench unanimously decided to maintain the lower court's ruling to sentence the man to 10 years.
Sitting on the bench were presiding Judge Mohamed Niyaz, Chief Judge Shujau Usman and Judge Ali Sameer.
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