SIBU: A 51-year-old man was sentenced to three months in prison and fined RM3,000, in default two months’ jail, by the Magistrates’ Court here today for outraging the modesty of a woman.
Sii Maringai from Kanowit pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Oon Kork Chern.
The charge on him stated that he had used criminal force on the 27-year-old victim by fondling her left breast, with the intention of outraging her modesty at a mini mart in Kanowit on October 29 at about 9:30 am.
The offence falls under Section 354 of the Penal Code which upon conviction, provides for an imprisonment of up to 10 years or fine or whipping or with any two of such punishments.
According to the facts of the case, on the day of the incident, while the victim (complainant) was working in the mini mart, she was approached by a man (known to her), who asked for the whereabouts of her father.
The complainant told the man that her father might be going back to the longhouse later. After that, the man suddenly touched her left breast, saying it was big.
Uncomfortable with the man’s action, the complainant lodged a police report for further action.
On the same day at about 6:20 pm, acting on a tip-off, a police party led by Insp. Meredolyin proceeded to a longhouse and placed the man identified as the accused under arrest.
Police investigation revealed that the accused had touched the complainant’s left breast with his left hand at the material time, which was recorded by CCTV in the mini mart premises.
The complainant was in shock and traumatised from the accused’s action.
The police also established that the complainant knew the accused, as he was an associate of her father and lived in the same area.
The investigation confirmed that the accused had committed an offence under Section 354 of the Penal Code by touching the complainant’s breast.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Keshava Rao Tharma Raja.
The accused, who was unrepresented, failed to pay the fine and was ordered to serve an additional two months in jail.
