Man sentenced to 32 years in prison for sexual abuse of stepdaughter

A man has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for the sexual abuse of his young stepdaughter in Fuvahmulah City.

The young girl was sexually abused by her stepfather, identified as a 52-year-old Maldivian man, for over a year, from May 2019 to July 2020.

The man was arrested in July 2020, and charges against him were filed with the Fuvahmulah Magistrate Court in August 2020.

Prosecutor General’s Office spokesperson, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Sun the office filed four charges against the man.

“Three charges under Special Provisions Act on Child Sex Offenders and one charge under the Penal Code – that is the charge of possession of pornography,” said Shafeeu.

Fuvahmulah Magistrate Court found the man guilty of all four charges this Thursday, and sentenced him to 32 years, one month, and 27 days in prison.

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has commended the work of the team of prosecutors stationed in Addu who handled the case.

“This is good work and good progress. Need to do more work to sustain this effort,” he said.