SEREMBAN: A 57-year-old smallholder was fined RM5,000 by the Sessions Court here after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of molesting a 14-year-old student.
Judge Surita Budin ordered Mohd Zaib Zakaria to be jailed five months in the event he was unable to pay the fine.
He was charged with committing the offence near an eatery in Kg Jawa, Kuala Pilah around 11.30pm on Feb 4 last year.
The accused was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for using criminal force on a person with the intent to outraging their modesty.
Offenders can be jailed up to 10 years or a fine or whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi then asked the court to impose a sentence which commensurate with the offence.
She said the accused had committed a serious offence on a student who was only 14.
Mohamad Zahid Ahmad who appeared for the accused pleaded for a lenient sentence as he had saved the court's time by pleading guilty.
He said the accused had to provide for his four children as well as his older brother who is a special needs individual.
