A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his 11-year-old cousin in February 2023.

The accused lived next door to the victim. He lured her into his room during a game of hide-and-seek and committed the heinous crime. He then threatened her to keep quiet. However, the victim told her grandmother months later, leading to the rapist’s arrest.

In her Victim Impact Statement, the young girl expressed shock and hurt that her cousin, whom she trusted, did not apologise for his actions.

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The court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm or work with children, and ordered his listing in the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the successful conclusion of the case, reaffirming its commitment to seeking justice for victims of crime.