High Court upholds verdict in sexual abuse of young girl

The High Court has ruled to uphold a 10-year prison sentence issued against a man for the sexual abuse of an eight-year-old girl.

75-year-old Hassan Yoosuf was charged with unlawful sexual contact with a minor, after he was arrested for the sexual abuse of his wife’s niece.

The incident took place on January 1, 2021, while the young girl had been staying with her maternal aunt during the school holidays.

The victim had been in the living room of the house, located in an island in northern Maldives, when she was assaulted by Yoosuf.

Other inhabitants of the house had been in the dinning room having lunch at the time.

The girl told her aunt shortly after the assault took place.

Yoosuf was convicted of the crime by a magistrate court.

He appealed the conviction with the High Court, which ruled to uphold the ruling on Monday.