High Court upholds 18-year jail sentence for man convicted of sexually abusing his wife’s sibling

The High Court has upheld the 18-year jail sentence issued to a man convicted of sexually assaulting his wife’s younger sibling.

The case dates back 13 years, to 2013, when the Maldivian man sexually abused his wife’s eight-year-old sibling. The prosecution charged him with child sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust, and the lower court ruled last year that the offence had been proven. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The man appealed the conviction and sentence at the High Court. However, the High Court on Tuesday upheld the lower court’s ruling.

In the appeal, the appellant argued that the case was based on a fabricated story influenced by the child’s family. The High Court noted that this same defence had been raised in the trial court, and held that the appellant had failed to present any evidence to substantiate the allegation that the child’s account was made up.

The High Court concluded that the lower court’s findings were sound and that the conviction and 18-year sentence should stand.