Court rules charges not proved in case involving alleged sexual assault of a child with disabilities

A man accused of sexually assaulting a child with disabilities has been released after the court ruled that the charges were not proved.

The case concerns the alleged sexual assault of a 14‑year‑old girl in 2023 on an island south of Male’. The prosecution had filed two charges against a man who is a family relative of the child.

He was charged with two counts of grooming a child for sexual purposes and intentionally touching the body of a child with sexual intent.

The magistrate of the island where the incident occurred ruled that neither charge was proved, leading to the man’s release. He had been held in custody pending trial. If convicted, the two offences carry a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

It remains unclear whether the prosecution will appeal the ruling to the High Court. Records show that during the trial, several decisions were appealed in favour of the defendant, but the High Court did not accept the case.