Sandeep Lamichhane given eight years in prison for rape: Nepal cricketer found guilty of offence against 18-year-old
Sandeep Lamichhane's sentencing is fixed for January 10; his lawyers have said he will appeal the verdict to a higher court; the 23-year-old is Nepal's highest-profile cricketer and is the only player from the country to take part in prominent T20 leagues around the world
Wednesday 10 January 2024 13:42, UK
Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been sentenced to eight years in jail after he was convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman.
Lamichhane's lawyer has said he will launch a higher court appeal to contest the conviction.
The 23-year-old was found guilty of rape last month, with his sentence announced on Wednesday. His lawyer Saroj Ghimire said before the sentencing: "We are not convinced about the decision of the court.
"The court has whimsically declared Sandeep to be a convict. Sandeep will go to the higher court for justice."
Kathmandu district court official Chandra Prasad Panthi said Lamichhane should also pay about £2,960 ($3,770) as a fine and compensation to the victim.
Lamichhane was suspended as Nepal's captain last year and taken into custody after police issued an arrest warrant for him over the assault in 2022. He was later released on bail.
He is Nepal's highest-profile cricketer and is the only player from the country to take part in prominent T20 leagues around the world.
The leg-spinner has represented Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League and has played in 51 one-day internationals as well as 52 T20Is for his country.
Nepal have qualified for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is to be held in the USA and West Indies in June.
