Man to enter defence for sexual abuse of two girls

KOTA KINABALU: A 55-yearold man was ordered by the Sessions Court here to enter his defence on February 20 next year on two counts of sexually abusing two girls.

The court made the order on Tay Yun Kong yesterday, through a decision at the end of prosecution, delivered by magistrate Mohamad Aizat Abdul Rahim.

Tay was alleged to have committed the offence against the girls, aged seven and eight, at a condominium in Kolombong, Inanam between 4pm to 5pm on November 19, 2017.

The alleged offences were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, upon conviction.

At the previous hearing, the prosecution, which was led by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Rustam Sanip had called 10 witnesses to testify against Tay.

Tay was represented by counsel Yong Pey Yi and Dicky Lo Vui Shiong.

In another courtroom, a retiree will know on January 25 next year whether he has a case against a charge of physical sexual assault on his 10-year-old niece.

Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim fixed the ruling date on the 54-year-old man after the prosecution closed its case with five witnesses called.

The retiree was accused of touching the girl’s breast and private parts at a house in a village in Manggatal here at noon on January 14.

He was charged under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and read together under Section 16 of the same Act.

Section 16 of the Act carries additional jail term of not exceeding five years and whipping of not less than two strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

The retiree was arraigned for the charge on February 26.

DPP Dinesh Raja prosecuted while the accused was represented by counsel Goldam Hamid.