By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, June 30: A three-year-old girl’s quiet confession to her mother during bath time has led to a 15-year prison sentence and five strokes of the cane for her 27-year-old uncle, convicted today of sexually assaulting her.
The Sessions Court handed down the punishment after the accused, an office worker at a petroleum firm, pleaded guilty to a single charge under Section 14(a) of the Child Sexual Offences Act 2017.
The offence, committed against the toddler aged three years and four months, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping.
The assault took place on the evening of June 16 at a home in Matang, where the man had been living with the victim’s family since 2019.
According to court documents, the accused gave his smartphone to the child while she lay on her bed, allowing her to play a game. Taking advantage of the moment, he removed her shorts, rubbed and kissed her genitals, and digitally penetrated her anus.
When the girl began crying, he dressed her again and carried her to the living room. Her mother, who had heard the sobs, asked what had happened, but the uncle claimed she had simply rolled off the bed.
Later, while bathing her daughter, the mother asked again if she felt sore from the supposed fall. This time, the child revealed the disturbing truth about her uncle’s actions. When confronted, the man confessed immediately.
A police report was filed without delay, and the victim was taken to hospital for medical examination.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng led the case, while the accused appeared without legal representation. — DayakDaily
