KUCHING: A 21-year-old chef was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in September 2025.
Judge Musli Ab Hamid imposed the sentence after considering a social report submitted by an officer from the Social Welfare Department.
The court ordered the sentence to take effect from the date of the accused’s arrest on March 9.
The accused had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for offences involving physical sexual assault against a child.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping.
As the accused is a youthful offender, the court also ordered that he be kept separately from adult prisoners during his incarceration, pursuant to Section 49(3) of the Prisons Act 1995.
The court further ordered the accused to undergo counselling while serving his sentence and to be placed under police supervision for two years after his release.
The accused committed the offence in September 2025 at a house in Serian, where he physically and sexually assaulted the victim on his birthday.
According to the facts of the case, the accused became acquainted with the victim through TikTok. They subsequently developed romantic feelings and were in a relationship for a period.
Prior to the incident, the victim had frequently visited the accused’s house, where they had sexual intercourse.
The matter came to light after the victim became pregnant, prompting her mother to lodge a police report. The accused was subsequently arrested on March 9.
During mitigation, defence counsel submitted that the accused was a first-time offender and that no violence was involved in the commission of the offence.
“The youthful offender wished to convey his sincere apology and remorse to this Court. He deeply regrets his actions and fully accepts responsibility for the offences for which he now stands convicted,” the defence counsel said.
