Thanjavur: The Mahila Fast Track Court here today sentenced a man to five years’ imprisonment for attempting to sexually assault an elementary school headmistress in 2012.

The 41-year-old woman working as headmistress at the Adi Dravidar Welfare Elementary School at Kadaiyagudi village was returning home from school after her day’s work on January 30, 2012 when the incident occurred. She was walking near the railway station at Cholagampatti village when 33-year-old Dharmaraj, son of Desingurajan of Indhalur village, waylaid and attempted to sexually assault her. As she screamed and raised an alarm, people in the surrounding areas rushed there. On seeing the approaching villagers, Dharmaraj took to his heels. However, based on her complaint, Budalur police registered a case and arrested him.

The trial of the case was conducted at the Mahila Fast Track Court. The judge who heard the case found Dharmaraj guilty of the charges and sentenced Dharmaraj on Wednesday to five years’ imprisonment besides slapping a fine of Rs 1,000.