A man has been sentenced to eight years and two months in prison for raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Makoi, Nasinu, last year. Justice Thushara Rajasinghe also set a non-parole period of six years and two months for the offender.
Court documents revealed that the accused, who is a first-time offender, encountered the victim at a bus stop around 7 PM on June 11. While she was waiting for her bus home, he forcibly grabbed her and pulled her behind a supermarket, where the assault occurred.
In his ruling, Justice Rajasinghe emphasized the severe impact of rape, describing it as a deeply humiliating and distressing crime that violates a person’s physical integrity and personal dignity. The judge noted that while the victim had seen the accused before, the prosecution had chosen not to present a victim impact report, complicating the court’s ability to assess the full extent of harm suffered by the victim.
The judge remarked on the high level of culpability demonstrated by the man, pointing out that he committed the assault while the victim was alone and vulnerable, waiting for her bus in the evening. The offender has 30 days to file an appeal against the sentencing.