Songkhla’s Na Thawi Provincial Court on Tuesday sentenced a 19-year-old to 15 years and three months in jail for raping the 12-year-old autistic sister of his 15-year-old girlfriend.
The rape, which took place on August 20, 2018, was allegedly done with his girlfriend’s consent.
The convict is also required to pay the victim Bt50,000 in compensation, plus 7.5 per cent annual interest until the payment is completed.
Defendant Sanphit Kopbo, 19, was initially sentenced to 30 years in jail for rape, theft and drug abuse. He committed the crimes in the house he shared with his girlfriend, her sister and her 73-year-old grandmother in Songkhla’s Sadao district. However, his sentence was halved due to his confession.
The 30-year sentence came from three charges: 14 years for the rape of a minor, 4 years for conspiring with two or more persons for theft and 12 years for causing another bodily or mental harm.
The last two charges were related to the fact that Sanphit and his girlfriend tied up the grandmother, stole her cash and valuables and fled on a motorbike. Sanphit was also sentenced to an additional six months in jail for drug abuse, which was also halve after his confession.
It is still unclear if the defendant and his relatives will appeal the sentence.
Sanphit’s girlfriend is currently under detention at the Songkhla Juvenile and Family Court.
