Man acquitted of sexually assaulting daughter, stepdaughter

SEREMBAN: A 39-year-old man was acquitted by the Sessions Court here on Tuesday (Jan 31) for allegedly committing physical sexual assault on his daughter and stepdaughter.

Judge Surita Budin discharged and acquitted the accused after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

"The court finds that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act for both cases.

"The accused is hereby discharged and acquitted without being required to enter his defence," she said.

The accused allegedly committed the first offence against his stepdaughter who was then 16 years old at a house in Taman Nusa Intan in Senawang in November 2018.

He allegedly did the same against his daughter who was six at the same place in 2019.

The man was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.

The accused was represented by Datuk Hanif Hassan while Hafizah Zainul Hashimi prosecuted.

When met outside the court later, the man said he was relieved that justice had prevailed.

"I have been under tremendous pressure ever since I was charged with offences I didn't commit.

"I was so badly affected initially that I started having psychological problems till I lost my job," he said, adding that he was grateful to his lawyer and family for their continuous support.