Burger seller jailed 13 years for molesting girl

KOTA KINABALU: A burger seller was jailed for 13 years by the Sessions Court here yesterday for touching the private parts of a little girl, last month.

Judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on undocumented Jumari Nasir, 21, after he admitted to committing the offence against the eight-yearold girl at a residential area in Penampang on April 11.

The accused was convicted under Section 14 (1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.

The prosecution told the court that the victim's father went to lodge a police report stating that his daughter's private parts were touched by the accused, who sold burgers at the residential area, and the report made was for further action to be taken by the police.

Following the report, the police arrested the accused at a coffee shop in Penampang on April 13.

The court also ordered the accused to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving his jail term as he had no valid travel document.

In mitigation, the unrepresented accused prayed for a lenient sentence saying that he was supporting his grandmother and sister, who were now staying in their hometown.

The accused also requested to be sent back to his country of origin as soon as possible.

In reply, the prosecution pressed for a deterrent sentence taking into account that the accused had committed a serious offence.