By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Aug 4: A 29-year-old civil engineer has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to secretly recording a woman’s buttocks at the Kuching Food Festival recently.
The accused pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 509 of the Penal Code before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan today.
The provision, which deals with acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty, carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The court ordered the sentence to take effect immediately.
According to the charge, the accused committed the offence at about 8.30pm on Aug 1 while the 28-year-old victim was attending the Kuching Food Festival along Jalan Padungan.
Court facts revealed that the woman was walking with her husband while looking for a table when the accused allegedly recorded her from behind without her knowledge or consent.
Police investigations led to the accused’s arrest when he returned to the festival at about 9.20pm on the same day.
A search of his smartphone uncovered the video involving the complainant. Further examination also revealed numerous similar recordings featuring the buttocks and rear views of other women, suggesting a possible pattern of similar behaviour.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Fung Lee Fook. — DayakDaily
