PARAVUR: A bench clerk of Aluva Judicial First Class Magistrate Court was sentenced to 23 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1.75 lakh for sexually abusing a temporary staff. The sentence was pronounced by Paravur Additional District Court.

The incident took place in February 2016. For three months, Martin (53), the convict sexually harassed the complainant woman in the court hall and the toilet. The mentally disturbed woman told her husband and after undergoing counselling, she lodged a complaint with the Aluva East police. Aluva East Circle Inspector TG Vijayan conducted an investigation and filed a charge sheet. Martin was sacked after a departmental investigation.