KUCHING: A lorry driver was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and six strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl last year.
Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar imposed the sentence on the 28-year-old accused under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code and ordered him to serve the jail term from the date of his arrest on June 15.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
The court also ordered the accused to undergo rehabilitative counselling throughout his imprisonment under Section 26 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017 and to be placed under police supervision for three years after completing his sentence pursuant to Section 27 of the same Act.
According to the facts of the case, the offence took place at a budget hotel in Batu Kawa.
Investigations revealed that the accused had known the victim since July 2025 after meeting her at a coffee shop near Batu Kawa.
The victim later sought medical treatment on June 8 after experiencing abdominal discomfort. A medical examination found that she was pregnant, leading to a police report being lodged.
Following investigations, the accused was arrested by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Padawan District Police Headquarters on June 15.
During mitigation, the unrepresented accused pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing his responsibility to support his elderly parents and six siblings.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng urged the court to impose a stiff sentences, stressing that statutory rape laws are based on the principle that girls under 16 lack the legal capacity to consent to sexual activity.
“The rationale is that girls at this age are not yet mature physically, mentally, or emotionally, and are easily susceptible to manipulation, persuasion, or exploitation,” he said.
He also drew the court’s attention to Health Ministry data showing that 21,114 pregnancies among unmarried teenagers aged 19 and below were recorded between 2019 and 2024.
