A Magistrates Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state capital, has sentenced a labourer, Peter Jude, to two years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a two-year-old baby.
Apart from sentencing Jude to two years imprisonment, the court also ordered that Jude should be flogged for two days.
Jude, aged 40, was said to have committed the offence on July 14, 2024, at Dele Ojo Camp, at Uso, Owo local government area and was caught on top of the baby, already discharged semen on her vaginal.
Jude pleaded guilty to the one count charge of indecent sexual assault and begged the court to forgive him, attributing his actions to the devil.
The prosecutor, Martins Olowofeso informed the court that Jude was employed as a labourers by the victim’s father to work in his farm.
He said the offence contravenes Section 3(1) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibitions ) Law 2021.
According to the prosecutor,
“The mother of the victim detected that there was fluid of semen on her baby’s vagina when he met the defendant on top of her.
“ The defendant was living with the victim’s father. He carried the baby to the room when she was asleep. He pulled down his shorts and tried to penetrate the vagina of the baby. But in the process discharged on her.
“ When arrested, the defendant was transferred to the Gender-Based Unit of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), for thorough investigation where he was charged and cautioned.
“The baby was, thereafter, taken to the State Reference Hospital for medical check-up, where a report was issued and he was subsequently charged.”
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs B.A Alphonso, convicted the accused and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with hard labour.
According to her, “Taking the prevalence of the offence, the court has to set an example to serve as a deterrent to others.
“ The defendant is hereby, sentenced to two calendar years with hard labour and he should be whipped for two days.”
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