Student to do community service after found guilty of raping girlfriend

 

Seremban sessions court judge Surita Budin said based on the facts of the case, the court is of the opinion that imprisonment and caning are not appropriate punishments for the accused. (Pexels pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A college student who raped his 13-year-old girlfriend in May was ordered by the Seremban sessions court today to undergo 240 hours of community service over a two-year period.

Ronaldo Sillo Chundi, 20, was handed down the sentence after he pleaded guilty to rape, Utusan Malaysia reported.

He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

“After hearing the defence’s mitigation, studying the facts of the case and the aggravating factors presented, as well as the report from the social welfare department and the recommendations submitted, the court is of the opinion that imprisonment and caning are not appropriate punishments in this case,” said judge Surita Budin.

She said Ronaldo could be hauled to the court again to face the charge and sentenced to jail and whipping as provided for under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code if he fails to complete the community service.

Ronaldo is also required to report to the nearest police station on the first day of every month, undergo counselling sessions, and follow an activity schedule set by the social welfare department.

Surita also imposed a RM5,000 bond in one surety, in default one year’s jail.

According to the charge, the accused raped a 13-year-old at a hotel in Port Dickson at about 3pm on May 15.

Defence lawyer Kartikeyan Supramaniam appealed for the sentence to be meted out in the form of community service since Ronaldo was a young offender and the victim was his girlfriend.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi had no objection to the defence’s application and left it to the court’s discretion. - FMT