Child rapist’s jail sentence upheld, caning reduced

KOTA KINABALU: The High Court here has upheld the 24-year jail sentence of a foreigner, who raped his step-daughter last year, while his sentence of 15 strokes of the whip was reduced to 12 strokes.

Justice Datuk Nurchaya Hj Arshad made the decision in the case of the 27-year-old foreigner who appealed against his sentence after he was convicted under Section 376 (2)(d) of the Penal Code.

On August 8, he was sentenced to 24 years jail and 15 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here after he was found guilty of raping his 11-year-old step-daughter in a room of a squatter house at Jalan Sepanggar, Manggatal on December 25, 2015.

In the Magistrate’s Court, a 47-year-old man claimed trial yesterday to molesting a woman.

Saidun Nasir, who appeared before magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus, was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of ten years or a fine with whipping, or with any two of such punishment, upon conviction.

The accused allegedly committed the offence on December 12 at around 11.30 pm in Tanjung Aru.

In applying for bail, counsel Farazwin Hexdy prayed for a low sum of bail stating that the accused is a local who only earns RM700 per month by selling kuihmuih (cakes).

The court ordered Saidun to be released on a RM4,000 bail with RM2,500 to be deposited along with two local sureties.

The court fixed January 19 next year for case management.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Rasydan Jasni urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.

Prisoners celebrating Christmas allowed visitors Dec 26, 27