T’puram: A 40-year-old man from Kollam was arrested on Sunday for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a 14-year-old girl after entering her house in Vattiyoorkavu on the pretext of seeking financial help for cancer treatment.The accused, identified as Baiju, was taken into custody by Vattiyoorkavu police and booked under relevant provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.According to police, the incident occurred at a house where the teenager was staying with her elderly grandmother. Police said the accused approached the residence claiming that he was undergoing cancer treatment and needed financial assistance. After speaking to the family, he asked for a mobile phone charger. Before leaving, he requested some water to drink.Police said the man entered the house after asking for water and allegedly attempted to sexually assault the girl. The teenager immediately raised an alarm, prompting neighbours to rush to the house.Locals overpowered the accused and handed him over to police. Police said the survivor’s statement has been recorded.Police are also verifying the accused’s background and whether he has been involved in similar offences elsewhere. Statements of the grandmother and locals who intervened in the incident are being recorded. Police said the accused may have targeted the house after noticing that only the elderly woman and the minor girl were present.The accused was produced before a local court and remanded in judicial custody.
