KUCHING: The Sessions Court today sentenced a 36-year-old man to 21 years in prison and six strokes of the cane for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl.
The accused, Augustine Carlebim, pleaded guilty to a charge read before Judge Iris Awen Jon.
The incident occurred after the child was abducted from her grandmother’s house in a village near Jalan Puncak Borneo on Sunday (March 8).
Augustine was charged under Section 377CA of the Penal Code for sexual assault by inserting his index finger into the victim’s private parts.
The offence carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 years’ imprisonment and caning.
Before delivering the sentence, Judge Iris emphasised that the appropriate sentences were imposed after considering that the accused had shown no remorse for his actions during his mitigation plea.
“We are taking into consideration the trauma endured by the child, apart from taking into account the seriousness of the offence,” she said.
According to the facts of the case, around 12.05 am last Sunday, the complainant’s granddaughter was abducted by Augustine after he broke into the house.
The incident was witnessed by the complainant’s daughter, who had been sleeping alongside the victim.
They then sought help from villagers to search for the child.
A search was conducted by the villagers, and the victim was later found crying by the side of a river by the complainant’s brother-in-law.
An examination of the victim revealed scratches on her face and arms, bruises on her legs, and bloodstains on her underwear.
The victim was taken to the hospital for further treatment, and a police report was lodged for further action.
Augustine was arrested by police on the same day as the incident.
Investigation revealed that the victim stated the accused had inserted his index finger into her private parts.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Chuah Kai Sheng, while the case was investigated by Investigating Officer, Inspector Awang Iswandi Awang Mahmuddin.
