The Criminal Court has sentenced a man to 54 years in jail after finding him guilty of sexually abusing a child.

The Criminal Court yesterday sentenced a 51-year-old Maldivian man who was arrested for repeatedly sexually abusing a young girl while in a position of trust, forcing her to perform sexual acts, and forcing her to touch his genitals.

As he has already spent three years in detention, he will have to serve an additional 51 years in prison.

He was arrested in connection with this case on the night of September 3, 2022, from Hulhumale' Phase 2.