BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 19 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): A 43-year-old local who raped his niece repeatedly over several months was handed a jail sentence of 20 years with 12 strokes of the cane by the Brunei High Court.
Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli was satisfied that Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Fitri binti Kiprawi had proven the prosecution’s case beyond reasonable doubt.
The incidents occurred between November 2020 and February 2021 at a family house which the defendant resided in together with his niece, who was 14 years old at the time.
During trial, the prosecution called six witnesses against the defendant and submitted evidence that the rape occurred on numerous occasions.
The victim also testified that the first time she was raped by the defendant was on a morning of November 2020 when she was resting at home because she was unwell.
The court heard from the victim that the defendant would normally call her to his room under the guise of asking her to take care of his young children, before proceeding to rape her.
The victim’s silent ordeal came to an end in March 2021 when she finally disclosed to her family members in March 2021 that the defendant had been sexually abusing her, which led to an immediate police report. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
