Two ruggerites get 10-year RI for sexual abuse

Two ruggerites of a leading school in Colombo were found guilty of sexually abusing a six-year-old boy of the same school five years ago and were sentenced to ten years rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Wikum Kaluarachchi yesterday.

This incident which took place five years ago had been proven in courts and the two accused were ordered by the High Court judge to pay Rs.100,000 each to the victim.

The underage student had been waiting for gymnastic practices when he was sexually abused by the two members of the rugger team of the same school.

The Attorney General had indicted the first accused as having committed the offence on an underage child and the second accused as having aided and abetted the first accused to commit the offence.

After a lengthy hearing, the judge decreed that the complainants have proved all charges beyond any doubt and accordingly sentenced the accused.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs.25,000 on each accused and in the event of nonpayment of fine and compensation to the victim a further 43 months imprisonment was imposed. (Manopriya Gunasekera)