Pony handler granted bail over alleged sexual harassment of six year old girl

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Oct. 29 (Daily Mirror) - A pony handler who was arrested over an allegation of inappropriately touching a six-year-old girl at the Viharamahadevi Park was produced before the Magistrate’s Court today.

The suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged with the Cinnamon Gardens Police by the victim’s father.

According to the complaint, on October 26, the father had visited the Viharamahadevi Park with his two daughters for recreation. The children had taken turns riding a pony and during the final round, the suspect had allegedly touched the back side of one of the girls. The father, who had witnessed the incident, had immediately taken his daughter away and reported the matter to the police.

The Cinnamon Gardens Police subsequently arrested the suspect and produced him before court.

The defence counsel appearing on behalf of the suspect told court that his client had not committed any form of abuse and had only held the child to prevent her from falling off the pony during the ride.

After considering the facts presented, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on two sureties of Rs. 200,000 each.