Kota Kinabalu: A 19-year-old Filipino who was previously ordered to enter his defence on a charge of committing physical sexual harassment against his underaged girlfriend, pleaded guilty to the charge.
The teenager decided to admit to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad during the continuation of his trial (defence) on Monday.
However, the court deferred sentencing to July 31 pending report from the Welfare Department.
On April 10, the teenager was ordered to enter his defence after the court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell’s Access to Energy helps power lives of isolated communities in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: In 2017, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC) launched Access to Energy (A2E), a Shell Social Investment programme aimed at providing affordable and continuous supply of electricity from renewable sources for communities who live without connection to the electricity grid. Read more The teenager, who was 18-year-old during the alleged incident, is accused of committing the offence against the 15-year-old girl by touching her private part, kissing her, making a ‘love bite’ and trying to have sex with her.
The offence allegedly took place between 10am and 9pm on April 9, last year at an apartment unit in Jalan Ketiau, Putatan.
The offence framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
The prosecution had called five witnesses during the hearing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Suriyati Jumain appeared for the prosecution while counsel Amli Nohin defended the teenager.
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