TAWAU: A foreigner in his 40s has been arrested for allegedly raping his 19-year-old niece after the victim was discovered to be pregnant following a medical examination.
The suspect was apprehended less than 24 hours after a police report was lodged.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said the man’s actions came to light after the suspect’s sister took their niece to a clinic for a health check-up.
“The suspect was detained at a rented room in the town centre at about 3.50pm on Saturday,” he said.
The arrest happened after a 42-year-old woman went to the police when her niece told her what had happened.
The rape is believed to have taken place around 10pm at a house in Taman Semarak. At the time, the young woman was living with her aunt (the woman who made the police report).
The suspect is the younger brother of the woman who reported the crime.
“Investigation into the suspect’s background also revealed that he has a previous criminal record related to drug abuse,” Jasmin said.
