Youth accused of raping Brit national gets conditional bail

A local youth, who was arrested for raping a British woman two years back, was granted conditional bail by a fast track court.

A local youth, who was arrested for raping a British woman two years back, was granted conditional bail by a fast track court on Friday.

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Lourenco Dias, 32, arrested for assaulting and raping a British woman on January 11, 2008 was released on the bail pending trial. He was asked to pay a sum of Rs 25,000 and surety in like amount.

The victim, who had come to Panaji to attend a musical concert, was offered a lift by the accused on the fateful night and was later raped and assaulted by taking her to isolated spot on city outskirt.

Panaji police had launched a massive search to scout for the accused, which was finally nailed after on February 17 after his friend tipped off the police about him. The accused was identified by the victim during a parade.

Meanwhile, police had drawn his sketch with the help of inputs provided by the victim and it was displayed across the state.