Scarlett Keeling: Man sentenced to 10 years’ hard labour in prison over rape and killing of British teenager

Mother of teenager says sentence is 'justice' after decade-long battle for convictions

A man has been sentenced to 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment” over the rape and killing of teenager Scarlett Keeling in Goa, India, after an 11-year battle for justice by her family.

Samson D’Souza, who was convicted on Wednesday, will be forced to carry out hard labour in prison while he serves his jail term.

D’Souza drugged and attacked Scarlett during a Valentine’s Day party on a popular beach for tourists in 2008 and left the 15-year-old to die.

Fiona MacKeown, Scarlett’s mother, said her daughter could be at peace “as long as [D'Souza] stays in prison” and serves the 10 year sentence.

A trial began in March 2010 but a verdict was not reached until six years later, when D’Souza and another suspect, Placido Carvahlo, were both acquitted.

The case, which had initially been investigated by Goa Police, was then passed to the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s investigation agency, who appealed the not-guilty verdict.

On Wednesday, the original verdict was overturned and D’Souza was found guilty of "culpable homicide not amounting to murder", while the court upheld the acquittal for Mr Carvalho.

The high court in Goa also convicted D'Souza of criminal assault and outraging a woman’s modesty, providing narcotics to a person with knowledge that it could cause serious harm or death, and destruction of evidence.

Vikram Varma, a lawyer representing Ms MacKeown, said he was satisfied with the court’s decision.

Earlier this week, Ms MacKeown said she would not be able to attend the sentencing but had wanted to go so she could “look into his [D’Souza’s] eyes when he is sentenced”.

“I think it is justice and there is just a feeling of relief,” she added. "I did not think they would be able to overturn the verdict [due to] lack of evidence.

"We have been fighting this for so long and I suppose it is just about being able to get on with life. As long as he stays in prison then Scarlett can be at peace.”

Scarlett’s half-naked body was found covered in 50 injuries on Anjuna beach in 2008 and a postmortem showed there was ecstasy, cocaine and LSD in her system.

The teenager and her family, who were on a six month family holiday in India, had spent two months at a Goan resort before travelling to Karnataka.

However, Scarlett was allowed to return to attend the beach party in Goa, where she was left in the care of tour guide Julio Lobo, Ms MacKeown said.

Although police initially said her death was caused by accidental drowning, Ms MacKeown fought for a second inquest.

Under Indian laws, D’Souza and prosecutors can still appeal to the Supreme Court against the sentence.

Prosecutors can also appeal against the acquittal of Mr Carvalho.

Agencies contributed to this report