EREMBAN: A teenage shop assistant has been ordered to undergo rehabilitation at the Henry Gurney School until he turns 21 after he pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl.
Sessions judge Surita Budin made the ruling on Monday (Sept 29) after the court was told that the family of the accused, who was four months short of his 19th birthday when the crime was committed on Aug 19, were not present in court to post a bond.
The accused pleaded guilty when he was charged on Aug 27.
He was charged with committing the offence in a hotel room here at around 9.30am on Aug 19.
The offence under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.
Earlier, a Social Welfare Department officer told the court the accused was the oldest of seven siblings and had obtained a skills certificate in repairing and servicing air conditioners.
She said the accused was often abused by his father, forcing him to leave their family home in Johor and to move in with his cousins here.
She said the accused earned around RM1,500 a month working at a shop during the day and operating a burger stall in the evening.
She said the accused claimed that he got to know the victim, who is from Kedah, through social media.
In mitigation, the accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded not to be sent to jail.
He also asked for a light sentence, such as community service, as this was his first offence.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni asked the court to impose a commensurate sentence as the accused had committed a serious offence against a child.
Judge Surita then asked if any relatives of the accused were present in court, and was told that his parents were unable to attend because of financial problems.
A male relative also told the court that the family did not have the means to post a bond.
