Senior citizen gets 10 years’ jail for kissing 8-year-old girl

 

The court granted a stay of execution of the sentence following an application by the defence lawyer to appeal the sentence as his client had been admitted to hospital. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: A senior citizen was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by the sessions court in Klang after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl by kissing her on the mouth, two years ago.

Judge Syafeera Said meted out the sentence on the 67-year-old man after finding the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, Bernama reported.

She ordered the man to serve the jail sentence from today and to undergo counselling throughout his imprisonment.

He is also to be placed on a two-year parole after completing his jail term.

The court, however, granted a stay of execution of the sentence following an application by defence lawyer M Thanakumaran to appeal against the sentence, considering his client’s health.

The stay is subject to the condition that an appeal must be filed within 14 days.

The proceeding today was held at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang as the accused was warded there earlier due to breathing difficulties.

The man was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a punishment of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.

He was charged with committing the offence at a house in Meru at 5.40pm on April 21, 2021.

In mitigation, Thanakumaran appealed for a lighter sentence on grounds that his client is a senior citizen, has a heart condition and suffers from deteriorating health.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Ayuni Jamri, on the other hand, requested a stiffer sentence due to the tender age of the victim.

“The accused’s act of sexual assault on the victim shows his disregard for the laws of the country as well as religious laws, which prohibit such acts.

“The accused also had no decency and compassion for this young victim, with a vast gap of 57 years between them.

“I also ask the court to consider the trauma endured by the victim due to this disgusting and heinous act committed by the accused.

“It is a very serious offence that warrants a severe punishment, serving as a deterrent to the community, ” she said.

Six prosecution and three defence witnesses testified throughout the trial, which started on Feb 7. - FMT