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A man has recently been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl.

The incident occurred while the child was attending a church service with her family. Stepping outside momentarily, she was led away by the perpetrator and assaulted.

Afterwards, the little girl bravely told her mother what had happened. The 18-year-old suspect was spotted near the church, leading to an urgent report to local authorities and his subsequent arrest.

Initial medical examinations confirmed what the girl had said, and the suspect was charged with a serious offense.

However, the charge was later downgraded, making the accused eligible for bail. An IJM attorney quickly took action, explaining the facts of the case to the magistrate to ensure bail was denied. IJM supported the girl’s mother to lodge a complaint, resulting in the original charges being reinstated.

Despite pressure on the family to drop the case, IJM provided ongoing legal support to ensure that the case proceeded through the justice system. Last year, the suspect was re-arrested and remanded, with IJM continuing to represent the survivor until justice was served.

This 10-year sentence serves as a strong reminder of the significance of timely legal intervention, and the importance of collaboration between justice officials, legal advocates, and the community to ensure that offenders are held to account.  IJM