The caretaker of an unlicensed children’s welfare home pleaded guilty to 15 charges of sexual assault and unnatural intercourse involving five boys, the youngest just eight years old.
Retna Velu, dressed in a black T-shirt, entered his plea in Tamil before Ampang Sessions Court judges Norshila Kamarudin and Ho Kwong Chin.
According to the New Straits Times, 12 of the charges involved physical and non-physical sexual abuse of boys aged eight to 13, which occurred in November last year, as well as February and March this year, at Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sri Bala Illam in Taman Permata Biru, Batu Caves, Gombak.
The offences fall under Sections 14(a) and 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act. Section 14(a) carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping, while Section 15(a)(i) can result in up to 10 years’ jail or a fine of RM20,000.
Retna also admitted to three counts of committing carnal intercourse on two of the boys, aged eight and 10, at the same home earlier this year.
Retna faced charges under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of five to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
He appeared in court without legal representation. He was denied bail, and sentencing has been scheduled for May 21.
Operator claims trial
Meanwhile, the children’s home operator, 31-year-old S Valan, pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual abuse, both physical and non-physical, against four boys aged between 13 and 16.
Norshila and Ho granted Valan bail of RM15,000 with one surety, imposing conditions that he report monthly to the police, surrender his passport, and avoid any contact with prosecution witnesses. Both courts set June 10 for the next mention.
According to earlier reports by the New Straits Times, at least 12 of the home’s 36 occupants were subjected to abuse.
Medical examinations revealed both old and recent injuries consistent with the alleged sexual abuse of some boys.
Police subsequently arrested and remanded four suspects, including the owner and three workers aged between 17 and 25. The home was not registered with the Social Welfare Department and had been operating under a private firm. - Mkini
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