A 52-year-old widower has been sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane after being found guilty of physically sexually assaulting his underage daughter-in-law three years ago.
Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya handed down the sentence on Tuesday after considering submissions from both the prosecution and defence on mitigating and aggravating factors.
The court also ordered the accused to undergo rehabilitation counselling throughout his prison term under Section 26 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
In addition, he will be placed under police supervision for two years after completing his prison sentence, in accordance with Section 27 of the same Act.
Earlier, defence lawyer Mohd Ridwan Usman appealed for a lighter sentence, telling the court that the accused, a former mechanic, had previously suffered a heart attack and continues to experience breathing difficulties.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Haikal Hazwan Md Yatin urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, arguing that sexual offences against children remain a serious concern and require punishments that serve as a strong deterrent.
He also told the court that the accused had betrayed the trust placed in him, as he should have protected his daughter-in-law instead of abusing her.
According to the charge, the accused committed the physical sexual assault at a house in Kuala Merotai, Tawau, in December 2022.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
The trial began on 2 July 2024, during which eight prosecution witnesses and five defence witnesses testified before the court reached its verdict.
