Youth admits to sexual assaults on four boys

KOTA KINABALU: A 19-year-old youth, who committed physical sexual assault against four boys, will know his fate on May 17.

Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim set the date for the sentencing of Mohd Hafis Jarashid pending his social report.

Mohd Hafis, who was brought before the judge, changed his plea of not guilty to one of guilty when his case came up for trial.

He admitted to having committed the offence against the children aged between nine and 14 at a house at a Kinarut village in Papar at 9.58am 5.30pm between September 17 and 24.

The offence is framed under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and also liable to whipping, upon conviction.

On November 16, 2017, Mohd Hafis claimed trial to eight counts of committing a similar offence against the children.

He was alleged to have touched the intimate parts of the children, which is an offence framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Mohd Hafis is also alleged to have made the children touch his intimate parts, an offence framed under Section 14 (b) of the same Act.

Mohd Hafis Jarashid is the second person in Sabah being charged under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Deputy public prosecutor Dinesh Raja prosecuted while Mohd Hafis was not represented.