A young man from Criuleni district was sentenced to 16 years in jail for raping and attempting to murder a minor girl last June. He was also obliged to pay 4,500 lei court costs, IPN reports.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said the 28-year-old man sexually abused a girl aged 14 with whom he lived in concubinage.

In about four months, as a result of a conflict generated by the girl’s wish to live him, the culprit splashed gasoline on her and tried to set her on fire. The girl managed to run away and altered the police. When police officers went to the scene, the man insulted them and threw an ax at them.

The man was remanded in custody. He pleaded not guilty. He earlier served four sentences for thefts and a sexual offense. The sentence can be appealed to a higher court.