KOTA KINABALU: The Magistrate’s Court here yesterday referred a Filipino, who was charged with molesting a woman, to a mental hospital for a month’s observation.
Magistrate Herlina Muse made the decision on Abdul Han Hussin, 36, after he informed the court that he was mentally troubled when he committed the crime.
Abdul Han told the court that in 2005, he was admitted to the hospital at Bukit Padang here for mental illness.
The accused who pleaded guilty to molesting the 25-year-old woman at a supermarket car park in Kolombong at 1.45pm on Aug 30, said he regretted what he had done and this was his first offence.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Lim Swee Beng stood up and informed the court that the undefended accused has a history of being admitted to Hospital Mesra, Bukit Padang.
Lim then applied for the accused to be referred to the same hospital for a month’s observation.
Abdul Han was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail of 10 years and a fine and with whipping or any two of such punishments, upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, on the day of the incident the victim and her fiance were standing at the car park when the accused suddenly came from behind and touched and squeezed the victim’s private parts.
Abdul Han was arrested with assistance from the public who were at the area.
Herlina set Oct 11 to re-mention the case pending a result from the mental hospital.