The Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) here on Saturday sentenced a 40-year-old cricket coach to rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a girl trainee.

Special Judge Anju Meera Birla sentenced the accused, Manu M., a resident of Sreevarahom ward, Thiruvananthapuram, to a total of 16 years on multiple counts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

The accused has also been ordered to pay a fine of ₹24,000. Since the sentences would run concurrently, he would serve five years. Failure to pay the fine will entail an additional two-and-a-half-years of imprisonment.

Special Public prosecutor R.S. Vijay Mohan appeared for the Prosecution. The victim was a class VII student when she joined the coaching centre where he coached. She was sexually abused in the gym of the coaching centre, but did not disclose the incident fearing that he would destroy her career. Mr. Manu has been accused of abusing five other girls. Of the six cases registered against the accused, trial has been completed in four.

The Cantonment police investigated the case.