Man imprisoned for pedestrian assault in Male' city

The Criminal Court on Monday sentenced a man to a prison term of four months and 24 days for an unprovoked assault on a woman in Male’ City.

The incident transpired around 00:20 on January 21st of the current year. The victim was reportedly walking on the pavement in the vicinity of Redwave Plaza on Majeedhee Magu when she encountered Mohamed Shafi, identified as being from H. Haiykolhu, Male' City. Upon encountering the victim walking in the opposite direction, Shafi reportedly assaulted her. The prosecution subsequently charged Shafi with assault.

During the trial proceedings, Shafi disavowed any intentionality in his actions. He testified that the encounter was unexpected, stating the victim “came up in front of him.” Shafi further claimed an inability to ascertain the motive for his actions, characterizing the assault as an involuntary response stemming from “sudden anger,” the origin of which he also claimed to be unaware.

According to the official report, Shafi inflicted a kick upon the woman, causing her to fall to the ground and sustain minor injuries. A medical report submitted to the court corroborated a knee injury sustained by the victim.

The court, in its deliberation, augmented Shafi's sentence, citing the reckless nature of his assault on a pedestrian in a public thoroughfare and categorizing the act as inhumane. The presiding judge increased the sentence by four degrees, specifically noting Shafi's apparent lack of remorse for the inhuman act.

Shafi received his sentence on Monday. However, after accounting for the period he spent in pre-trial remand, Shafi’s remaining custodial term will be two months and 22 days.