KUCHING: A 53-year-old man was sentenced to 54 years in prison and 24 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here today for repeatedly abusing his stepdaughter since she was only eight.
The man’s horrific crimes finally caught up with him after years of silence and suffering endured by the now 13-year-old victim.
Judge Musli Abdul Hamid meted out the punishment after the accused pleaded guilty to three charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act.
According to the charge sheet, the offences took place at their home in Bau on October 4, 5 and 6 this year, at 10:00 pm.
For each charge under Section 14(a), the court sentenced the accused to 15 years in prison and six strokes of the cane.
He was also given an additional three years in prison and two strokes for offences under Section 16(1).
Musli ordered the sentences to run consecutively, resulting in a total of 54 years’ imprisonment and 24 cane strokes.
According to the facts of the case, the victim had been subjected to her stepfather’s vile acts since the age of eight. His abuse continued for five years, leaving her deeply traumatised.
The court was told that the victim had tried to confide in her biological mother several times, but her pleas were ignored because the accused was the family’s main breadwinner.
Police arrested the man in a village on October 25 following the victim’s report.
Investigations revealed that between October 4 and 6, the accused entered the girl’s room, pulled at her shirt and underwear, and groped her before she managed to push him away.
The incidents occurred over three consecutive nights.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Aiman Mutallib Mohamad Shariff urged the court to impose a heavy sentence, stressing the severe trauma inflicted on the young victim and the need to protect children and deter similar offences.
