Serial offender held for molesting minor in Mapusa, Goa

Team Herald

PANJIM: The Mapusa Police have arrested Stanley Coutinho, aged 36, a resident of Tivaivado, Calangute, for allegedly molesting a 8-year-old minor girl within the premises of a residential building in Mapusa.

According to police, on April 24, a complaint was received at the Mapusa Police Station from the father of the victim, who stated that his daughter had been molested by an unknown individual inside the compound of a residential building in the town.

Police stated that the child was playing outside her building when an unknown person, molested and tried to abduct her. However the child started crying, alerting the locals who tried to question the accused, prompting him to flee.

Acting promptly on the complaint, the police registered an FIR under the relevant sections of law and the child was provided counselling and support by the Victim Assistance Unit.

As part of the investigation, CCTV footage from the area was thoroughly examined, during which the accused was clearly captured on camera. Police subsequently formed special teams to trace and apprehend the suspect.

Meanwhile the forensic team arrived at Canca Mapusa at the crime scene to gather evidence into the matter.

Police sources have confirmed that the accused is a serial offender with five prior cases already registered against him. Mapusa PI Nikil Palekar is investigating the case. The Calangute and Verna police had booked him in an assault and bike theft case in 2019, stated police.