By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, May 13: A 34-year-old farmer from Tebedu was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here today for sexually assaulting his six-year-old daughter in April.
The accused pleaded guilty to one charge under Section 377CA of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of five to 30 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Judge Iris Awen Jon ordered the sentence to take effect immediately.
According to the charge, the man had inserted his finger into the victim’s genitals and anus at a house in a Tebedu village.
The case came to light after the victim’s mother noticed redness on her daughter’s private parts and suspected abuse.
The mother grew suspicious when the child appeared startled while being changed into her sleepwear. Upon questioning, the girl revealed that her father had ‘disturbed her with his hand’ and pointed to her genitals.
The victim was later taken to the hospital, where a medical examination confirmed signs of sexual assault.
Police arrested the accused in the parking lot of a hotel in Serian at around 7.30 pm on April 23. Investigations revealed that he had used his right finger to penetrate the child’s genitals and anus in a room.
Additionally, authorities seized the man’s smartphone, which contained 64 pornographic videos. He is expected to face another charge under Section 292 of the Penal Code for possessing obscene materials.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Aiman Mutallib Mohamad Shariff prosecuted the case, while the accused was unrepresented. — DayakDaily
