Idukki (Kerala) | A Kerala court on Friday convicted and sentenced to a total of six years a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl at her residence near Vagamon here last year.

The accused, Eashwar (46), was sentenced to varying jail terms for a total of six years under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act by Idukki Fast Track Court (POCSO) Judge Nobel DS, special public prosecutor (SPP) Shijomon Joseph said.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on the convict, the SPP said.

As the varying jail terms have to be served concurrently and the highest of the punishments is four years, he will have to serve only that, the prosecutor said.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred last year when the accused reached the 15-year-old girl's home and asked for a glass of water.

When she went to give him the water, he grabbed her, the SPP said.

He let her go after she raised an alarm, the prosecutor said.

The SPP said that the court examined 13 witnesses and perused 14 documents before arriving at its decision holding the accused guilty of the offence of sexual assault.

The court also directed that if the fine amount is paid by the convict, it should be given to the girl.

It also recommended to the District Legal Services Authority to provide adequate compensation to the child.