Sentence upheld for man accused of molesting teen

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a June Criminal Court ruling sentencing a man to five years in prison for molesting a teenager in Aqaba Governorate in April.

The defendant was convicted of sexually assaulting a boy after luring him to his apartment on April 3, and was handed the maximum punishment. 

Court papers said the defendant and the victim met in a coffee shop in Aqaba.

“The defendant decided to molest the child so he lured him to his house and locked the door with the key,” court transcripts said.

The defendant hinted to the victim “that he wanted to engage in sexual activities and that it would be quick”.

“The boy refused so the defendant jumped on him and beat him then started molesting him but could not continue because the victim resisted,” court transcripts added.

The victim then left the apartment and immediately notified his family of the incident and the defendant was arrested as a result, according to court transcripts.

 The defendant contested the Criminal Court’s ruling, asking to be declared innocent and arguing that the “court failed to rely on solid evidence to implicate him and depended on contradictory testimonies”.

However, the Cassation Court ruled that the verdict was correct and the defendant deserved the verdict he received.

The Cassation Court comprised judges Yassin Abdullat, Mohammad Tarawneh, Naji Zu’bi, Bassem Mubeidin and Hammad Ghzawi.