SANDAKAN: The Sessions Court here on Tuesday acquitted and discharged an Indonesian man accused of physically and sexually assaulting his cousin four years ago.
Judge Zaini Fishir @ Fisal made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused.
The court held that the prosecution did not satisfy the required standard of proof concerning the victim's age under the charge.
The 23-year-old Indonesian passport holder, who was 19 at the time of the alleged offence, had been arrested at an estate here on Nov 20, 2022, before being charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Yuvan Bharatham called seven witnesses during the trial that commenced on July 17, 2024, while the accused was represented by counsel Noor Ilienna Rahayu Ibrahim and Deanna Shakinah Dana.
