By Wendy John
SIBU, Dec 5: An unemployed man has been sentenced to eight years’ jail and two strokes of the rotan by the Sessions Court here today after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his underage daughter.
The accused, 41, was charged under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and liable to whipping upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, on November 27, the nine-year-old victim complained to her mother of pain in her private part while urinating.
She however declined to reveal what had happened to her.
The next day at 7.30am, she again felt pain her private part.
The mother, 29, then brought her to the hospital for a check-up.
The victim finally opened up and alleged the accused had inserted his finger into her private part a few days earlier while she was sleeping.
Following a police report lodged by the mother, the accused was arrested on November 28 at the family’s home.
In mitigation, the accused pleaded for leniency saying that he could not work as he has a heart problem.
He also claimed that his father supported his family.
Prosecuting officer Sabgari Ponan however pressed for a heavier sentence as the offence had impacted the victim emotionally. — DayakDaily
