PUTRAJAYA, Dec 4 — A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed the appeal of a former substitute teacher, convicted of physical sexual assault and committing carnal intercourse against his two stepdaughters.
The bench, comprising Datuk Azmi Ariffin, Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid, and High Court Judge Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Harun, upheld his 14-year prison sentence and 14 strokes of the cane, finding no grounds to reduce the sentence.
In delivering the court's decision today, Justice Azmi condemned the appellant's actions, saying he had "the audacity to commit a heinous act" against the children entrusted to his care.
He emphasised that the court views sexual offences with the utmost severity, noting that children are tragically often targeted as objects for an offender's gratification.
"Children in this country must be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation," Justice Azmi declared.
The ruling reflected that the severe punishment was not only warranted but also necessary, serving as a deterrent, delivering a stern warning and lesson to the appellant and anyone who would contemplate similar acts.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the accused's final appeal, upholding in its entirety the 14-year prison sentence and 14 strokes of the cane originally imposed by the Sessions Court and later affirmed by the High Court.
The Sessions Court convicted him on seven charges, comprising four counts of physical sexual assault against one stepdaughter and three counts of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature with the other stepdaughter.
The sexual assaults against the first victim occurred in an apartment in Gombak, on multiple occasions between December 2019 and August 2020, while she was aged 16 and 17.
The offences of carnal intercourse against the second victim were committed in the same location in August and September 2015, when she was 14 years old.
In 2023, the Sessions Court sentenced the accused to six years' imprisonment and eight strokes of the cane for the sexual assault charges, and eight years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane for the carnal intercourse offences, ordering the sentences to run consecutively.
The High Court subsequently dismissed his initial appeal, upholding the combined 14-year jail term and 14 strokes. The appellant then brought a further appeal against his sentence to the Court of Appeal, which was heard today.
During today's proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Zain Ibrahim appeared for the prosecution, while counsel Bani Prakash from the National Legal Aid Foundation represented the appellant.
