Rape sentences appealed-Pryde

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde has confirmed that appeals have been filed in relation to two rape sentences delivered over the past few weeks.

Pryde said the DPP's Office monitors decisions made by the Magistrates courts and the High courts and decides if cases should be appealed.

In the first case, a man was sentenced to four years imprisonment for raping his daughter and threatening his wife.

In another case, a 33 year old man who raped his 22 year old sister is serving his prison sentence only in the weekends as ruled by Nasinu Magistrate, Sumudu Premachandra.

In his ruling, Magistrate Premachandra said the man is to serve his eight year sentence every weekend. He said this means that the man goes to prison at 7pm every Friday and is to be released from prison at 7pm every Sunday.

The sentence was partially suspended on the rest of the weekdays.

Pryde confirmed that the appeals in relation to the sentences have been filed within the specified period and they are now awaiting the date from the Court of Appeal.

These two sentences were highlighted by the 38 year old father who raped his 16 year old daughter, as he wanted a lenient sentence.

However Justice Salesi Temo immediately said that the first case has to be reviewed and the four year sentence has to be increased.

Justice Temo also enquired about the sentence only being served in the weekends and the prosecutor confirmed that such a sentence was handed down.
 

Story by: Vijay Narayan