The Gender-Based Violence Court in Juba on Wednesday sentenced a 24-year-old man to 7 years imprisonment for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl.

Convict Simon Bida Charles committed the offense in Rokon Payam, Juba County on 20 June 2023.

According to the girl’s uncle, Bida took the young girl to his house during a party and sexually abused her.

Bida initially pleaded not guilty before the court.

But a medical test carried out at Juba Teaching Hospital indicated he subjected the girl to severe sexual assault.

In Wednesday’s session, Judge Andrew Joshua Lado found Simon Bida Charles guilty of the act under section 247 of the South Sudan Penal Act 2008.

The court also ordered him to pay one million pounds in reparation to the victim.

“Convict Simon Bindo Charles you are hereby sentenced, one; to imprisonment for seven years effective from today 17^th January 2024 according to section 247 Penal Code Act, 2008.

“Two, the convict must pay the victim an amount of one million SSP as compensation to be paid through civil means,” Judge Lado read out the verdict.

The convict’s lawyer has 14 days to appeal the verdict.