KUCHING: The Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Feb 10) sentenced a 16-year-old student to three years’ imprisonment for the repeated rape of a 14-year-old female classmate at a performing arts institution in 2024 and 2025.
Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan handed down the sentence, ordering the term to commence from the date of the teenager’s arrest.
In line with Section 96(3) of the Children’s Act 2001, the convicted youth will be detained separately from adult prisoners.
The court heard that while a custodial sentence was not the primary consideration for the offender, provisions under Section 75 of the same Act empowered the magistrate to impose the prison term.
Magistrate Ling also mandated that the teenager undergo a structured educational programme during his incarceration.
Defence counsels Tiong Ing Neng and Alex Kong applied for a delay of execution pending an appeal but the application was dismissed by the court.
The accused pleaded guilty to two charges under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code. The first offence occurred in 2024 within a classroom at the institution.
He committed the second offence against the same victim in October 2025 at the same location.
The case came to light after the victim’s mother was alerted by an institution representative about her daughter’s sexual involvement with the teenager.
Subsequent investigations led by the One Stop Centre resulted in the seizure of seven key items from the institution on Nov 15, 2025.
The evidence included several personal notebooks, one inscribed with the words “magical day,” another with “bear travel,” and others bearing phrases like “believe in yourself” and “do less with more focus”, along with an unused condom and a pair of yellow pants. The teenage suspect was arrested two days later on Nov 17.
Investigations revealed a prior romantic relationship between the offender and the victim. A teacher had previously discovered a diary detailing their interactions.
Upon interrogation, the victim confirmed the two sexual encounters, which she said took place during a recess. She also admitted to once giving her underwear to the accused.
A medical examination by gynecologists corroborated the assaults, confirming the presence of old tear marks.
The court was informed that the teenager had a troubled disciplinary history at the institution, including records for vaping, defaming the institution’s name, and a prior sexual misconduct offence, which ultimately led to his expulsion.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani, with the investigation led by investigation officer Nur Ain Wong Abdullah.
