Sri Lankan acquitted in Doha

29 November 2010 02:42 am - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A Sri Lankan expatriate, who had languished in jail for almost four-and-a half years waiting for the judgment in his trial, has been acquitted of molestation charges by the Doha court of first instance on “technical and formality” grounds.

The judges heard that a Western family had complained against the man in May 2006 claiming that he molested their daughter (then 15) after accessing her room when she was alone at around 1.40am.

According to the chargesheet, the girl shouted during the alleged incident seeking the help of the neighbours as her family members were away.

The girl claimed that a “masked man covered my mouth with a piece of cloth in an attempt to prevent me from shouting.”

She told the interrogators three day after the incident: “I kicked him and forced him to escape through the kitchen window. Our neighbours rushed in soon after.”

Court papers showed that the molester had left his shoe behind in the plaintiff’s house and a police dog picked out the suspect, who was reportedly arrested from the street “hours” after the alleged incident, while he was walking near his accommodation on Salwa road.

The “girl” also identified the suspect in the police parade, three days after the incident.
The 19-year old plaintiff was summoned in June 2010 to narrate the incident that she experienced when she was 15.

Unlike her earlier version in the police records, she told the judges that the molester was able to touch sensitive parts of her body.

A neighbour said that he saw a “struggle” between the girl and the attacker, “who escaped when he saw me.”

The court marked “significant contradictions” in the testimonies of the plaintiff and her neighbour on the incident.

According to the court papers, the shoe that was supposed to be a key evidence in the case was damaged in the police premises.

Further explaining the acquittal, the court also said that the police failed to collect fingerprints from the scene and it was not clear in the case file when the suspect was arrested and how far from the plaintiff’s house.

In addition to that, the court said the accused had insisted his innocence since the beginning of the case.

The verdict, which was given some 53 months after the incident, has been challenged by the public prosecution, court sources told Gulf Times.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 5

meranchi Monday, 29 November 2010 03:16 AM

that person forget his religion,what priest preach and simple things to fallow and mind control every thig overcome his need ...

Knight Rider Monday, 29 November 2010 03:59 AM

The Foreign Employees in the Middle East seem to be creating lots of attention these days.

pd Monday, 29 November 2010 04:33 AM

typical of things happening in da gulf. lot of wrong accusations innocent in jail. now latest is if u dont like a person say you insult them u are in jail.

dxb Monday, 29 November 2010 04:40 AM

Look , he was in jail ammost 5 years without charges , No amnesty international interfer on these countries as their representatives are paid well !!!!

Common Man Monday, 29 November 2010 01:42 PM

Tried to have a good time, ended serving big time.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Sri Lankan acquitted in Doha

Comments - 5

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Religion: Not for public debate

Driving into Colombo’s money spinning car parks!

The runaway prophet?

Veil of uncertainty covering naked truth behind death of schoolgirl

Unwanted attention

Lurking predators make some temples unsafe for novice monks

Reforming abortion law in Sri Lanka

Most Viewed in News

Fixed range for fuel price as Sinopec enters

SL origin Barrister, 34, becomes youngest ever minority ethnic Crown Court judge in UK

BIA bumps Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera from Bangkok flight to make way for Dinesh

Professionals from 14 categories required to register with IRD from today

Gota given new residence at Stanmore Crescent: MP Rasamanickam alleges

Several arrested for smashing Green Lanka building in Nawam Mawatha

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Student from Detention centre who appeared for O/L Exam, escapes

NPP’s petition demanding free and fair LG Poll reserved for order

Sex education should be included in school curriculum: Diana

Death of Assistant Manager of VTA in custody Seven PNB officers arrested

MIRROR CRICKET

Sri Lanka named unchanged squad for World Cup qualifiers; Mathews misses out

Cummins sparks India collapse in WTC final

Coetzee, Stubbs, Muthusamy steer South Africa ‘A’ to series win

India fight back after Smith century in WTC final

Sri Lanka youth netball coach confident of whipping South Korea

Major Club T20 Semi Finals

Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023

Indian commentator Charu Sharma invited for LPL auction