A man has been sentenced to 54 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

Police said the 51-year-old Maldivian man was sentenced by the Criminal Court yesterday.

He was convicted of raping a girl and forcing her to perform sexual acts on several occasions while in a position of trust.

He was arrested on September 3, 2022, in Hulhumale'. His investigation was completed and sent to the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office on October 18, 2022.

Having spent three years in prison while awaiting trial, he will serve a total of 51 years. He will be 102 years old by the time the sentence is executed.