Religious school warden jailed 6 years for sodomy, sexual assault
SEREMBAN: A warden at a Quran learning centre pleaded guilty in court today to two counts of sodomy and one count of sexual assault involving his students.
The accused entered the plea before Sessions Court judge Datin Surita Budin.
According to the charges, he sodomised two boys, aged 13 and 10, and sexually assaulted another boy, 12.
The offences were committed between December 2023 and January this year at the learning centre in Jempol.
The accused was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1), which provides for up to 20 years' jail and whipping.
For the sodomy charges, he was charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of five to 20 years and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni urged the court not to treat the guilty plea as a mitigating factor.
"The accused was a teacher (warden) entrusted with the safety of children, but he abused his position by committing sexual offences.
"We seek a sentence that reflects the severity of the crime. The court must prioritise public interest over the accused's personal circumstances."
Judge Surita sentenced the accused to six years in jail from the date of his arrest and two strokes of the cane.
The accused was told to undergo counselling and to be placed under one year of police supervision after his release.
Separately, the accused claimed trial to six counts of sodomy and six counts of sexual assault involving seven boys aged 8 to 12.
The offences allegedly took place between March last year and January this year at the same learning centre and at a house in Kuala Pilah.
The charges were framed under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the same act, as well as Section 377C of the Penal Code.
Bail was denied. The case will be mentioned again on July 14 for appointment of counsel and submission of documents.
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