French tourist claims teen molested her at Monkey Beach

BALIK PULAU: A trip to the Penang National Park turned into a nightmare for a French teacher when she was allegedly molested by a teenage boy.

The 35-year-old tourist claimed she was hugged, kissed and had her breasts groped while walking in the park.

She had earlier sought directions from the 18-year-old on her way to Monkey Beach at about 1.10pm on Thursday.

After walking for about 20 minutes, she said the suspect suddenly reappeared in front of her and turned amorous. He hugged her, kissed her a few times, groped her breasts and wanted to undress her.

At first frozen by surprise, the woman bravely put up a struggle after she regained her composure.

She shouted for help and managed to scratch the suspect’s chin.

Luckily, several tourists passed by and the suspect escaped into the forest.

The woman then lodged a report at the Teluk Bahang police station.

Some two hours later, park enforcement officers bumped into the suspect and overpowered him. He was then handed over to the police.

Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Lai Fah Hin said the victim had gone to the park with her parents and her three-year-old son.

The parents and the boy, however, did not join her for the walk as they were tired, and waited at the office.

“The victim picked out the teenager in the identification parade. She claimed she could recognise the suspect as she had earlier taken his picture,” he said when contacted.

Supt Lai said there were no eyewitnesses in the incident, adding that the tourists who came to her aid did not get a look at the suspect as he had sprinted into the forest.

The case is being probed under Section 354 of the Penal Code for using criminal force with intent to outrage modesty.

The suspect has been remanded until Monday to facilitate the investigation.