22yo Kuching shop worker pleads guilty to raping underaged girl

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, July 7: A 22-year-old shop worker was sentenced to 10 years in prison and eight lashes by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to twice raping a 13-year-old girl.

Judge Zuraidah Zakaria handed down the sentence after the accused admitted to two charges under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and whipping.

According to the first charge, the accused raped the victim in a workers’ dormitory toilet in Matang around 12.15am on January 31, 2024.

In the second charge, he raped the girl again in an empty room of the same dormitory at approximately 2am the same night.

Judge Zuraidah sentenced the man to 10 years in prison and four lashes for each charge, with the prison terms to run concurrently.

The case came to light after the victim’s mother became suspicious when her daughter failed to return home overnight. Believing her daughter might have been involved in a sexual relationship, she filed a police report and took the girl for a medical examination.

A doctor’s examination revealed old tears in the victim’s genital area, indicating prior sexual activity.

During the investigation, the accused admitted to taking the girl to the workers’ dormitory, where he had intercourse with her twice—once in the toilet and again in an empty room.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fadzri Azham Zainudin handled the prosecution, while lawyer Moh Ung Kieng represented the accused. — DayakDaily

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