Man sentenced to 17 years for raping woman and her two daughters

• Judge Marasinghe observed that the accused had taken advantage of the absence of the husband to commit a most heinous act against a defenceless woman and her daughters

By Bhagya Silva

The Homagama High Court Judge Navarathna Marasinghe yesterday sentenced a man to 17 years of rigorous imprisonment for breaking into a house and sexually assaulting a woman and her two daughters while the husband, a soldier was away on duty.  

According to the evidence presented in court, the incident took place on May 13, 2014. The victim’s husband had been away in Puttalam on official duty leaving at home his wife, two daughters aged 14 and six and their young son. The accused had unlawfully entered the house, threatened the victims at knifepoint and subjected them to severe sexual abuse.  

Delivering the verdict, Judge Marasinghe observed that the accused had taken advantage of the absence of the husband to commit a most heinous act against a defenceless woman and her daughters. 

The judge further stated that such an act was in no way excusable or justifiable.  

The court observed that the accused had several previous convictions for housebreaking and theft and that he had been under a suspended sentence at the time of committing the present offence. The judge noted that committing such a grave sexual crime while serving a suspended sentence was utterly reprehensible.  

The court also recorded that no compensation was requested on behalf of the victims.  

Accordingly, High Court Judge Navarathna Marasinghe sentenced the accused to 17 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 60,000.