Teacher acquitted of molestation of student

Ahamit Umping (second left) acquitted.

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, Oct 21: The Federal Court of Appeal has acquitted a teacher who was charged for molesting his student.

The three-men bench led by Puan Sri Dato’ Zaleha Yusof, Dato’ Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah unanimously dismissed the prosecution appeal and upheld the decision of the High Court which discharged and acquitted Ahamit Umping, 58.

Ahamit was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for molesting a 10-year-old girl in a sports equipment storeroom of a school in Jalan Bako on January 2016.

The Magistrate’s Court convicted Ahamit for the said offence and sentenced him to imprisonment of two years.

He appealed to the High Court while the prosecution filed an appeal against the sentence.

High Court Judicial Commissioner allowed Ahamit’s appeal on the ground that there was no inquiry made by the Magistrate before the victim of this case gave evidence.

Ahamit was thus dismissed and acquitted.

DPP Mohd Zain Ibrahim appeared for the victim while Ahamit was represented by Counsel Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily