Man gets jail, rotan for sexually abusing 11-month-old baby
PUTRAJAYA: A man was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and two strokes of the rotan after he pleaded guilty to having a sexual intercourse with an 11-month-old baby by inserting his finger into the victim’s vagina.
The 68-year-old admitted to the charges in front of judge Mohd Kamil Nizam at the Special Court on Sexual Crimes against Children here yesterday.
The accused was indicted for committing the crime against the victim, who was under the care of a babysitter, at a terrace house in Section 24, Shah Alam, about 4pm on Aug 20. The suspect was the father-in-law of the babysitter.
Based on the charge sheet, investigations revealed the babysitter had asked her fatherin-law to take care of the victim while she went out to renew her car insurance and road tax.
When she returned, she realised that the victim was in pain and crying profusely. She noticed bloodstains on the baby’s clothes. The babysitter informed the parents that their child was having bloody stools and they took her to Shah Alam Hospital.
The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department’s check on the child showed traces of abrasion and redness inside her genitalia, as well as a 2cm long fresh wound near the anus.
A medical specialist said the victim’s injury was due to a blunt object which was forced into the vagina, causing the wound around the area. The medical specialist stated that the object could have been a finger or a penis, adding that this act had caused permanent tear on the victim’s hymen.
The investigation disclosed that the suspect had confessed to the babysitter’s husband, who is his son, that he had inserted his finger into the child’s vagina, proving him guilty of having an intercourse with the baby.
The suspect is charged under Section 377CA of the Penal Code, which provides a jail sentence of not less than five years and not more than 30 years, and strokes of the rotan if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Aimi Syazwani Sarmin, during the proceedings, had appealed to the court to impose maximum penalties on the suspect as the crime committed was serious.
“The medical specialist has confirmed that the victim sustained a permanent tear to her hymen.
“The suspect, who’s old enough to be a grandfather, had committed this heinous act when he should have taken care of the child. His act will have a deep impact and serious damage on the child.
“Even though the suspect is 68, whipping could still be carried out under the law for sexual offenders. I appeal to the court to impose a maximum penalty on the suspect as it involves public interest, as well as act as a deterrent.”