A man found guilty of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter, who has special needs, in 2018, has been sentenced to serve a minimum of 10 years of his 12-year prison term before being eligible for parole. The victim, who has an intellectual disability, was 17 years old at the time of the offense.
During the sentencing, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe emphasized the severe impact of rape, calling it one of the most humiliating and distressing crimes. He noted that the crime is even more serious when it involves a young person in her home environment, labeling it as a grave offense.
The judge underscored that the primary goal of the sentence is deterrence, highlighting the court’s duty to discourage such crimes and protect the community from offenders. He stated that a lengthy custodial sentence is necessary to convey the seriousness of the crime and to reflect society’s condemnation of such actions.
Justice Rajasinghe pointed out that there was no evidence presented that would contribute positively to the man’s reputation or community standing, denying any consideration for a reduction in sentence based on his past character.