FAROUK KOOTBAULLY SENTENCED IN LUTON FOR HISTORIC CHILD ABUSE USING UK FIRST HOME-BASED TRIAL TECHNOLOGY

In a landmark case that has set a precedent within the UK judicial system, 71-year-old Farouk Kootbaully from Luton became the first individual in the country to stand trial from his own residence, thanks to innovative assistive technology. This unprecedented approach was necessitated by his frailty and health issues, which doctors confirmed prevented him from physically attending the courtroom at Luton Crown Court in Bedfordshire.

Despite his physical incapacity, medical assessments determined that Kootbaully retained full intellectual capacity, allowing him to face justice for serious allegations. The court proceedings took place last month, with Kootbaully appearing via a live video-link from his home in Luton. The trial focused on eight charges of historic indecent assault, with the offences allegedly committed between April 1998 and August 2001.

During the trial, the court heard harrowing details of the abuse inflicted upon a young girl, starting when she was only eight years old. Over a period of three years, she was subjected to multiple acts of indecent touching by Kootbaully, actions that have caused lasting trauma. The case was particularly notable not only for the severity of the allegations but also for the method of trial, which involved the use of cutting-edge technology to facilitate Kootbaully’s participation from his home.

Following a unanimous verdict on all eight counts, Kootbaully was convicted and subsequently sentenced to serve a total of ten years in prison. The sentences for each charge are to run concurrently. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to protect the victim and prevent further harm.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Sharon Ellis, who led the investigation, highlighted the significance of this case. She explained, “This case is the first time in the whole of the UK that assistive technology has been used to enable a defendant to attend trial via his home address, with the courts providing temporary internet access to his home and fitting a live-link facility from his bed. This could well set a precedent for other courts in the UK in similar circumstances.”

Authorities and legal professionals are now considering the implications of this technological advancement, which may pave the way for more accessible justice for individuals with health issues or disabilities, ensuring that justice is served regardless of physical limitations.