A 46-year-old man has been handed a ten year jail term for raping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.

Sorry Jallow, a shopkeeper and a father of two, was convicted at the High Court in Banjul.

Justice Sainabou Wadda Cisse in her judgement said the severity of the sentence was to serve as deterrent to others that such criminal actions wouldn’t be condoned.

The 11-year-old girl, a street hawker, identified the accused who was known to her.

According to the prosecutor the victim used to sell “wonjo” juice to the accused at his shop.

The judge said that the evidence of the victim that the accused had unlawful carnal knowledge with her was adequately corroborated by the DNA evidence and the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses.

Justice Wadda-Sise added that the victim had been left traumatised by her ordeal.

“The victim’s ultimate realisation that someone, an adult of 46 years old and a father of 2 children could manifest such sexual desperation on an 11-year-old girl is inconceivable,” the judge said.