A US court has sentenced Prabhu Ramamoorthy, a 34-year-old Indian national, to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman on a Spirit Airlines flight in January. The incident occurred while the victim was asleep, seated next to Ramamoorthy and his wife.
The victim reported waking to find her shirt and trousers unbuttoned and Ramamoorthy's hand inside her trousers. She alerted crew members shortly before landing, who noted she was crying and had undone buttons. They moved her to another seat.
Ramamoorthy denied the allegations, claiming he was also asleep. His wife alleged the victim had been sleeping on her husband's knees and that the couple had requested a seat change for the woman, though flight attendants stated only the victim made such a request.
Prosecutors had sought an 11-year sentence, but US District Judge Terrence Berg deemed nine years sufficient for what he called 'an extremely serious offence.' Ramamoorthy will be deported to India after serving his sentence.
He was initially held without bail due to flight risk concerns. The case was heard in a federal court in Detroit, Michigan, where he faced charges of aggravated sexual abuse.
