A man has on Friday been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a 15 years old girl in Terekeka County of central Equatoria State that resulted to pregnancy.
During the court verdict on, GBV Court Judge Andrew Joshua Ladu found Charles Taban James guilty for raping Regina Sunday James, born on 15th April 2008 in January 2023 under under section 247 of the South Sudan penal code act 2008 for rape.
Section 247 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act 2008 state that “Whoever has sexual intercourse or carnal intercourse with another person, against his or her will or without his or her consent, commits the offence of rape, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years and may also be liable to a fine”.
Judge Joshua said the prosecution has proved all the ingredients of the offense beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed sexual intercourse with the girl underage 15 years old resulted to her pregnancy and she lacked conscience and his intension unlawful act
However after issuing the guilty verdict the Judge asked the rapist what he thinks about the verdict and other responsibilities that he might have so that the court will reduce the sentence.
In response, Charles said he is sick and appealed to the judge to reduce the sentence, meanwhile the relative of the victim told the judge that the law should take its course.
After listening from both sides, the judge announced the verdict, sentencing James to 10 years imprisonment and the fine of one million South Sudanese Pounds to be paid to the family of the victim.
“After the court listened to the plea of the accused, the court Sentence Charles Taban James to 10 years imprisonment with effect from Sept 1st 2023 under section 247 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act 2008, two, the accused is to pay the victim one million SSP to the family, three, the convict has the right to appeal the judgment, four the judgment was issued today 1/9/2023 by GBV Court Judge Andrew Joshua Ladu GBV Court Juba”
