SEREMBAN: A college student has been ordered to complete 240 hours of community service after pleading guilty at the Sessions Court to raping his underage girlfriend.
Judge Surita Budin instructed Ronaldo Sillo Chundi, who was 19 at the time of the offence, to complete the punishment within two years.
Ronaldo, then an odd job worker, was charged with raping the 13-year-old girl in a hotel room in Port Dickson at around 3pm on May 15.
He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term not exceeding 20 years and whipping.
"After considering mitigation from the defence, reviewing evidence before the court, and the social report from the Welfare Department, the court finds that a jail and whipping sentence is inappropriate in this case," she said.
Judge Surita also ordered Ronaldo to provide a RM5,000 collateral with one surety to ensure he completes the community service within the given period.
She stated that if the accused fails to complete the punishment, he could be brought back to court to face the same charge.
"You are also to report to the nearest police station on the first of every month and attend counselling sessions arranged by the Welfare Department," she said.
Earlier, counsel for the accused, Kartikeyan Supramaniam, requested the court to impose community service as Ronaldo was a young offender.
He noted that the victim was the accused's girlfriend and that Ronaldo had not forced or caused her any injury.
"He has vowed to turn a new leaf after enrolling in a programme at a college here.
"My client is remorseful and has promised never to repeat this mistake," he said, adding that Ronaldo had not previously run afoul of the law.
Kartikeyan argued that as a young offender, the accused should be given an opportunity to pursue his studies for a better future.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunandi asked the court to impose a sentence commensurate with the crime.
