SIBU: A 27-year-old man was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane for sexually assaulting his nine-year-old niece.
The accused from Selangau pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Musyiri Peet here Tuesday (Jan 27).
He stood accused of sexually assaulting the girl at a rented house in December last year, an offence punishable under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Child Act 2017.
The law provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years as well as whipping, upon conviction.
According to facts of the case, the girl had on Jan 9 told her mother about what had transpired with her uncle.
A police report was subsequently lodged, leading to the man’s arrest on Jan 15.
Before passing sentence, Musyiri found that the accused’s conduct amounts to a serious breach of familial trust and warrants strong condemnation.
“The court is of the view that the interest of justice, public interest and the need to protect children from sexual exploitation require the imposition of a deterrent custodial sentence,” he ruled.
He ordered the accused to serve his imprisonment with effect from the date of his arrest.
The man was also directed to attend counseling while serving sentence and undergo two years of police supervision after serving sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Cynthia Emmelda Jerry.
