MUKAH: A 54-year-old man has been sentenced to a total of 27 years in jail and six strokes of the cane after being convicted on three counts of sexual assault involving three minors, including his stepchild.
Sessions Court judge Musyiri Peet ruled on Wednesday (Oct 15) that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the accused.
When handing down the sentence on Thursday, judge Musyiri ordered Sari to serve nine years in prison and receive two strokes of the cane for each of the three amended charges.
The sentences for the second and third charges are to run consecutively after the completion of the first, bringing the total to 27 years’ imprisonment and six strokes of the cane.
Under Section 26(1) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the accused is also required to undergo rehabilitative counselling throughout his prison term. Additionally, under Section 27(1) of the same Act, he will be placed under police supervision for three years upon completing his sentence.
According to the charge sheet, the accused — who is the stepfather and uncle of the three victims, aged between eight and 14 at the time — sexually assaulted them between 2020 and 2023.
The offences were committed at a longhouse near here.
The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
