T’puram: Chathannoor police on Thursday arrested a 33-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl after taking her to an abandoned house in Kollam.The accused, a native of Aduthala, is a neighbour of the child and was known to her family. Police said he allegedly exploited the trust between him and the girl to commit the offence.According to police, the incident took place a few days ago when the accused allegedly took the child to a dilapidated house in the locality and assaulted her. The matter came to light only after the girl’s parents noticed signs of emotional distress and behavioural changes.When questioned by her parents, the child disclosed the alleged assault. The family subsequently approached police, following which a case was registered.Police said the accused was arrested soon after the complaint was received. Preliminary investigation revealed that he was a habitual consumer of alcohol and drugs. Police further said he had been repeatedly driven out of his native place because of his behaviour, and are looking into his background.The accused was produced before court and remanded in judicial custody.
