GBV Court hearing in Juba. (Photo: Nyathong William).

The Gender-Based Violence Court in Juba sentenced a 21-year-old man to 5 years in prison for raping 15-year-old girl in 2021 and acquitted his associate over insufficient evident.

Convict Noel Francis committed the sexual offence in Juba on 26^th December 2021.

The prosecutor general said, during the hearing, that the victim was on her way home one night when a group of boys grabbed her and one of them subjected her to sexual abuse.

The survivor was reportedly rescued by patrolling security force, who happened to pass by the scene.

A medical test carried out at Juba Teaching Hospital indicates that the survivor was subjected to severe sexual assault.

Judge Andrew Lado found Noel Francis guilty of rape and acquitted his co-defendant, Hussein Mohamed.

He was found guilty under section 247 of the South Sudan Penal Act 2008 and sentenced him to 5 years’ imprisonment.

“Convict Noel Francis, the court sentences you to the following imprisonment for 5 years effective from today 29^th February 2024 according to section 247 of the South Sudan Penal Act 2008,” Lado said reading the verdict.

The court also ordered the perpetrator to pay 700,000 pounds in compensation to the victim.

Both parties have 15 days to appeal against the verdict.