The Criminal Court has sentenced a man to 18 years in prison for raping an autistic child.
The 37-year-old suspect is believed to be the girl's brother-in-law. The investigation into the rape was launched after the then-15-year-old girl was found three months pregnant. She was tested on the recommendation of a doctor after the victim missed her periods for 3 to 4 months
It was discovered that the suspect had raped the victim on multiple occasions since 2020.
He was taken into police custody 2 years back and was charged with sexually abusing a child while in a role of responsibility over the child.
The State had asked the court for the maximum sentence which is 18 years in jail.
Although the defendant was issued an 18 years jail sentence, he would be in prison for 15 years and 11 days after cutting down his sentence for time served.
The defendant had spent 3 years and 19 months jn jail during the investigation and trial.
