Kota Kinabalu: A 45-year-old primary school teacher was acquitted of a charge of physically sexually harassing his nine-year-old male pupil, without his defence being called.
Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Rosle Basas.
Rosle was discharged and acquitted on Friday.
He was accused of committing the offence by touching a part of the boy’s body in a classroom at a school here in August 2023.
The charge, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
The prosecution had called five witnesses during the hearing.
According to court records, Rosle faces four charges before four different Sessions Court judges. He has now been acquitted of two charges without being called to enter his defence, while the remaining two cases are still ongoing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugenie M. Gilbert led the prosecution, while Rosle was represented by counsel Zahir Shah.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Rosle, through his counsel, said justice had been served.
Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Rosle Basas.
Rosle was discharged and acquitted on Friday.
He was accused of committing the offence by touching a part of the boy’s body in a classroom at a school here in August 2023.
The charge, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
The prosecution had called five witnesses during the hearing.
According to court records, Rosle faces four charges before four different Sessions Court judges. He has now been acquitted of two charges without being called to enter his defence, while the remaining two cases are still ongoing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugenie M. Gilbert led the prosecution, while Rosle was represented by counsel Zahir Shah.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Rosle, through his counsel, said justice had been served.
