13 years’ jail for raping, impregnating stepdaughter

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KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court here yesterday sentenced a self-employed man to 13 years’ jail for raping his stepdaughter who is now five months pregnant with his child.

Judge Azreena Aziz also ordered the 51-year-old accused to be whipped ten times, after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

He admitted to raping the 15-year-old victim between November 16, 2013 and January 1 at a house in a village in Papar.

The charge is framed under Section 376 (3) for incestuous rape which carries a jail term of between eight years and 30 years, with whipping, upon conviction.

Based on the facts, the victim’s aunt lodged a police report against the accused on March 24.

She claimed that the accused had raped her niece many times when she was alone at home and she is now pregnant.

In a medical report, the victim was also found to have tears in her vaginal hymen caused by the rapes.

In mitigating for a lenient sentence, the accused claimed to have three children and a wife to support and is remorseful of his actions.

Deputy public prosecutor Dominic Chew Ban Huat pleaded for a deterrent sentence considering the accused’s position as a stepfather, who is morally obligated to look after the victim.

Dominic said that the accused had taken advantage of the victim’s trust, while at the same time, he urged the court to consider the victim’s young age.