JOHOR BARU: A security guard on Wednesday (March 4) was sentenced to 21 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane by two Sessions Courts here after pleading guilty to 13 counts of sexual offences against his six-year-old daughter.
Judges Madihah Zainol and Nor Aziati Jaafar handed down the sentence after both courts accepted the guilty plea of the 43-year-old accused and examined the facts of the case presented by the prosecution.
The accused was handed 12 years’ jail and 14 strokes of the cane by Madihah, and 21 years’ imprisonment with 10 strokes of the cane by Nor Aziati, with both sentences to take effect from his arrest on Feb 18, 2026.
However, the courts ordered that the prison sentences for the 13 offences run concurrently, bringing the total sentence to 21 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.
The accused was also ordered to undergo rehabilitation counselling throughout his imprisonment and to remain under police supervision for two years after serving his sentence.
According to the charges, the accused committed the offences at a squatter house in Johor Baru between 11.35pm on Jan 22 and the morning of Feb 17.
The first four charges, relating to physical sexual assault on a six-year-old girl, were brought under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
The accused also faced four charges of non-physical sexual assault for committing a sexual act in front of the victim, under Section 15(c) of the same act, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both, if found guilty.
Two charges of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent were brought under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of not less than five years and up to 30 years, and whipping, if convicted.
The accused was also charged with two counts of producing child sexual abuse material in the form of a video involving the victim, under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and up to six strokes of the cane.
He also faced a charge of raping the victim under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which provides for a minimum of eight years’ jail and 10 strokes of the cane, and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment, upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Manushri A/P Stephen Suthakar and Nur Farah Wahida Shahudin, while the accused was unrepresented.
During the court proceedings, the accused requested a reduced sentence on the grounds that he had to care for six children and a wife who was unemployed and suffering from cancer.
However, Nur Farah Wahida requested a deterrent sentence proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and the long-term impact on the victim’s life. — Bernama
