KUALA TERENGGANU: A prison warden was sentenced to five years in prison and four strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here Tuesday (Oct 7), after he was found guilty of committing physical sexual assault against his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli handed down the sentence on the 42-year-old man after the defence failed to raise a reasonable doubt at the close of its case.
The court imposed a four-year prison term for the offence under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and an additional one-year and four strokes of the cane for a supplementary charge under Section 16(1) of the same Act.
Both prison sentences are to run consecutively, effective from the date of conviction, with the accused placed under police supervision for two years after the completion of the term.
According to the charges, the man, who was in a position of trust as the stepfather, committed physical sexual assault against the girl at a house in Chendering at 12.15am on July 19, 2023.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Nabihah Hanim Ayimn appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel Che Muhammad Amir Che Musa.
A total of 12 witnesses testified during the trial, eight for the prosecution and four for the defence, including the accused himself. - Bernama
