Teenage girl ordered to reform school over sexual services

KOTA KINABALU: A 17-yearold girl was sent to a reform school by the Juvenile’s Court here yesterday for soliciting for the purpose of prostitution.

Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie made the order on the when the case came up for mention to tender the girl’s probation report prepared by a Welfare Department officer.

The accused pleaded guilty during previous hearing but her sentencing was put off pending the production of the report.

Welfare Department representative Ihsanuddin Mohd Yusuf tendered the social report and suggested for the girl to be sent to the Henry Gurney school.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit raised no objection to the application and the girl’s mother, who was also present in court agreed to the suggestion.

The girl admitted to committing the offence at an apartment in Manggatal on November 1.

The charge was under Section 372B of the Penal Code.

The facts of the case stated that the girl was apprehended during a raid by the police from D7 Unit after receiving a tip-off regarding vice activities at the said place.

Investigation revealed that the girl offered sex services to her clients through Wechat.

The case was heard in the magistrate’s chambers.

Soon after the proceedings, the girl was seen in tears and did not want to go the reform school.

The girl said to her mother that three years were too long but her mother, who also cried, calmed her daughter by saying that “pergilah nak, tidak lama juga tu” (just go there my dear, it will not be long).