Goa Children’s Court sentenced one Bonny D’Souza, resident of Calangute, to three years’ rigorous imprisonment in a 2011 case for outraging the modesty of three minor school girls aged seven to eleven years.
D’Souza, who was 19 years old at the time of offence, was arrested by Anjuna Police on November 15, 2011 and has been in judicial custody ever since.
Children’s Court had convicted D’Souza on March 22 earlier this year under Sections 451, 323 and 354 read with Section 8 (2) of Goa Children’s Act, 2003.
In her order, Children’s Court President, Vandana Tendulkar, laid down that the period of detention shall be set off against the term of substantial imprisonment imposed under Section 428 of CrPC.
Fernandes has also been directed to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh which will be deposited with the National Children’s Fund.
In addition to this sentence, three other sentences were also pronounced ranging from imprisonment for six months to one year under Sections of IPC listed while convicting Fernandes. The court has ordered that these shall run concurrently.
Fernandes was charged of criminal trespass into a government primary school premises with the intention of committing child sexual abuse and outraging the modesty of three minor girls studying in Std II, III and IV.
Public Prosecutor K Sanzgiry examined 13 witnesses in support of the case.
