An Australian father has been found guilty of marrying off his 12-year-old daughter to a Lebanese man more than twice her age, local media said Wednesday.
The newspaper The Australian said the 63-year-old father, who can’t be named to protect the girl's identity, was found guilty of procuring a child under the age of 14 for unlawful sexual activity.
The father had held an Islamic ceremony at his home in southeastern Australia in January 2014 in which his daughter and a 26-year-old Lebanese man were “married.” The marriage was not recognized as legal in Australia.
The couple then went to a motel where they had sex, Judge Deborah Sweeney said as she handed down her judgment in the Sydney District, according to the report.
It said the father will remain on bail and will return to the court on May 29 to be sentenced.
Earlier this month, the same court sentenced the Lebanese man to 10 years in jail for marrying and impregnating the young girl. The girl suffered a miscarriage.
The Lebanese student, who was not named for legal reasons, will be eligible for parole in August 2021, but he will likely be deported if released at that time, the Sydney Morning Herald said at the time of his sentencing.
