A 23-year-old mechanic has been slammed with a staggering 20-year prison sentence and seven strokes of the cane after admitting to the sickening rape and robbery of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in broad daylight.
Muhammad Faryzuan Aiman Mat Yatim pleaded guilty at the Sessions Court in Tumpat today to two charges that have left the community horrified.
According to the first charge, the heartless predator pounced on the innocent teenager while she was jogging in Kampung Mesra Palekbang, Tumpat, at 7.40am on June 17. He allegedly dragged her into the bushes, raped her, and left her badly injured.
He was charged under Section 376(2)(a) of the Penal Code, which carries up to 20 years in jail and whipping.
In the second charge, the fiend robbed the traumatised girl of her Vivo Y19 smartphone while armed with a wooden stick at the same location. He faces charges under Section 392 read together with Section 397 of the Penal Code.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Aisyha Nai’lah Harizan urged the court for a fitting punishment, describing the attack as “serious and cruel”.
“The victim suffered serious and severe injuries. She was left with deep trauma,” she told the court. “She had no connection whatsoever with the accused. She was dressed modestly as a Muslimah when she went out for exercise that morning.”
The girl was later found injured near the bushes by members of the public around 11am and rushed to hospital.
Faryzuan, who was unrepresented, begged for the minimum sentence, claiming he has a wife and a three-year-old child.
After hearing both sides, Judge Zulkpli Abdullah sentenced him to 15 years’ jail and five strokes of the cane for the rape, and five years’ jail and two strokes for the robbery. The jail terms will run consecutively, effectively totalling 20 years from his arrest date on July 7.
The court also ordered him to undergo counselling throughout his imprisonment and placed him under police supervision for three years upon release.
The case has sparked outrage, with many questioning how such a vicious attack could happen to a young girl simply out for a morning jog in her own neighbourhood.
