A Christian priest running a private shelter for destitute children at Pallakavundampalayam in Uthukuli Taluk was on Tuesday sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment by the Mahila Court on the charge of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female inmate.
Andrews (50), who housed orphans and semi-orphans in the home and educated them in government schools, was arrested by the Uthukuli police under sections of POCSO Act during December 2022, based on a complaint lodged by the minor girl’s mother.
Unable to withstand the harassment, the girl had reportedly revealed the sufferings she underwent to her mother, and the police registered a case. Public prosecutor Jamila Banu appeared for the government in the case. Delivering the judgement, Mahila Court judge Kokila also imposed ₹10,000 fine on the accused who was subsequently lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison.
Published – September 09, 2025 06:23 pm IST
