Rape case: boy acquitted

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

COLOMBO: The Court of Appeal recently set aside the conviction and the sentence and acquitted a 15 year old school boy found guilty of raping eight year old girl. The girl was a relative and a neighbour of the boy.

Delivering the judgement Justice Ranjith Silva observed that it was apparent that the mother had coached the girl in giving evidence although in normal circumstances tutoring a witness of such an age was not frequent in sexually related offences.

Justice Silva noted that the victim had admitted having made contradictory statements to the Police on her mother’s coaching and even in the High Court her testimony was not consistent and varied as to the manner in which the act was committed.

The accused found guilty of committing statutory rape was sentenced to 10 years RI with a fine of Rs. 2,000 and order for compensation of Rs. 25,000 to be paid to the victim, two years RI in default.

Dr. Ranjit Fernando appeared for the petitioner.