Man who groped woman on Coleman Bridge jailed 8 months
The 37-year-old Sri Lankan national was drunk when walked up to a female passer-by on New Year’s Eve, hugged her from behind, said “Hello baby” and then groped her right breast.
When the victim’s friend shouted at him, he walked away and went to a fast food restaurant at a nearby shopping mall.
The perpetrator, Gunawansa Malagalage Don Amith Isuru Sampath, was sentenced last Tuesday (23 October) to eight months’ jail, having pleaded guilty to one charge of molestation.
He is appealing against the prison term and is currently out on bail.
Assaulted in public
The court heard that the 38-year-old victim was walking with two friends along Coleman Bridge towards The Central at about 9.15pm on 31 December 2017.
Gunawansa, a total stranger, walked up to the victim and molested her. Shocked, the victim pushed his hands away.
One of her friends also shouted at him and asked for his identity. Gunawansa ignored the victim’s friend and walked away.
The victim and her friends then followed him until he entered the Burger King outlet at The Central. They then confronted him and called the police.
While waiting for the police to arrive, Gunawansa tried to run away but was stopped by the victim.
The maximum punishment for using criminal force to outrage the modesty of a person is two years’ jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of such punishments.
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