Kota Kinabalu: A 29-year-old man was jailed 16 years and ordered given three strokes of the cane for two counts of committing physical sexual harassment against an underaged girl whom he claimed to be his “cewek” (girlfriend).
Mohamat Kahilur Ahnizam Matjidi pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus, to both charges against him on Friday.
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On the first count, Mohamat was jailed seven years and ordered to get a stroke of the cane for committing the offence by kissing the 15-year and one-month-old student as well as performing oral act on girl’s right breast at a house in Mesapol, Sipitang on June 28 this year.
On the second count, he was sentenced to nine years’ jail plus two strokes of the cane for committing the same offence against the same victim by kissing her, performing oral acts on the girl’s left breast and her private parts.
The offence under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, on conviction.
The court ordered Mohamat to serve the jail sentences from the date of his arrest.
During mitigation, Mohamat asked for leniency and told the court that the victim was his ‘cewek’.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Shaferrah Mad Iskim urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence as it was a serious offence as the victim in this case was an underaged girl.
The court heard that Mohamat had brought the girl to his family’s rented house where the sexual offences took place.
The incident came to light when she informed her family. He was arrested.
