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A 63-YEAR-old man was sentenced to six years in jail and three strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court on Friday for the sexual assault of his 12-year-old niece.
The man pleaded guilty to six counts of physical sexual assault, which occurred between February 3rd and 4th at a residence near Seremban.
The charges were brought under Sections 14(a), (b), (d), and 15B(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and whipping for the first five charges and up to 10 years imprisonment for the sixth charge, The Star reported.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi, urged the court to impose a stern sentence, citing the alarming rise in sexual offenses against children.
She emphasised the accused's breach of trust as an uncle and his responsibility to protect the child.
The accused, who was unrepresented in court, expressed remorse for his actions, stating that it was his first offense and that he had to support his family.
Sessions Court Judge Suriati Budin, sentenced the accused to six years' imprisonment for each offense but ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in a total of six years in jail. He was also ordered to receive three strokes of the cane.
The court heard that the victim had been staying with the accused and his family while her father underwent treatment at Hospital Serdang.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse and the need for stringent punishments for such heinous crimes. – February 14, 2025