Praslinois sentenced to 30 years for sexually assaulting nine-year-old girl |11 February 2022
A 30-year-old man from Praslin was yesterday sentenced before the Supreme Court to 30 years in prison for two counts of the offences of sexual assault on a nine-year-old girl.
It was in November 2020 that the man assaulted the little girl who was sleeping over at his house as she is friend of his own children, one of whom is of the same age as her.
For the purposes of the sentence, Justice Rony Govinden considered the convict as a first offender and took into account the mitigating factors as outlined by the counsel. The court also took into consideration the content and the recommendation of his probation report and the facts and circumstances of this case.
He said the court, however, views these offences as serious ones. The little girl was only nine years old, full of innocence who went to sleep over at her neighbour’s house. The accused callously took this opportunity and preyed upon her. The facts show that he lured her away from the company of the other children and into his bedroom and there he caused her to watch a pornographic film before sexually assaulting her.
Justice Govinden said his debauchery and act of depravity was calculating and deliberate and his action will mark his victim for life. The court notes that already the girl’s school performance and personality have changed as a result of his despicable acts. It also notes that the man is moreover the father of children of the same age as the little girl.
Bearing all these in mind and the need to pass a sentence which would deter future conduct of its kind and keeping with previous precedents, Justice Govinden sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment for the first count and 15 years imprisonment for the second count. The sentences shall be spent consecutively, which means the convict will serve a term of 30 years in prison. Time spent on remand will count towards the sentence.
The convict has a right to appeal to the Seychelles Court of Appeal against both his conviction and sentence.
The name of the offender has been withheld by the court so as to protect the young victim.
Compiled by Marie-Anne Lepathy