Kota Kinabalu: An unemployed 30-year-old was sentenced to 17 months’ jail and ordered to receive two strokes of the cane for molesting a woman last week.
Mohd Fazrul Mohd Abd Rashid pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to using criminal force on the 22-year-old woman with intent to outrage her modesty on July 21, at 7.30pm, outside an apartment in Bandar Sierra, Manggatal.
Fazrul committed an offence under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, or a fine, or whipping, or any two of those punishments, on conviction.
The court heard from the prosecution that at 7.30pm that day, the victim was walking home when Fazrul suddenly approached her outside the apartment building, held her face, kissed her on the lips and fondled her breast.
At the time, it was raining heavily and the victim was carrying an umbrella and several items in her hands.
Startled by the incident, she screamed for her mother, who was walking a short distance behind her.
A witness saw Fazrul at the scene and informed the chairman of the block about the incident.
The victim, who was left shocked, frightened and angry, later lodged a police report.
Fazrul was arrested at the apartment on July 22.
Through duty counsel Lim Ming Zoong @ Lawrence, Mohd Fazrul pleaded for leniency.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronnie Anthony urged the court to impose a deterrent custodial sentence, citing, among others, the public interest.
Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man claimed trial to a similar charge.
Lajadi Lajahidi pleaded not guilty to molesting a woman in a rented room in Inanam on April 27.
The prosecution objected to bail, informing the court that Lajadi had earlier been charged in the Sessions Court with an Immigration offence, for which bail had also been denied.
The magistrate fixed Sept 2 for pre-trial case management and ordered Lajadi to remain in remand.
In another case, an unemployed man was charged with having stolen items.
Syamsul Nurhidayat Murusalun, 24, pleaded not guilty to having three stolen gold-coloured rings belonging to one Ikmal Japara at Imago KK Times Square, at 5.20pm, on July 25.
The charge is framed under Section 411 of the Penal Code.
The court fixed Sept 4 for pre-trial case management and released him on bail of RM1,500 in two sureties, with the additional condition that he reports to the investigating officer once a month.
Inspector Yusdi Basri prosecuted.
