Youth gets seven strokes of the cane for rape of girlfriend

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KUCHING: A youthful offender was caned seven times at a Sessions Court room here yesterday for raping his girlfriend, after he pleaded guilty to the act early last year.

Ikmar being escorted by two policemen to the Sessions Court room prior to the caning.

Nor Ikmar Shafiq Abdullah, 19, was caned by officers from the state Prisons Department before Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad.

The accused had pleaded guilty to raping his girlfriend who was then 15, in January, and also in February last year at a house in Kampung Baru here.

He was originally ordered to do 240 hours’ community service apart from the seven canes.

The prosecutor, however, appealed against the decision and the High Court who presided over the appeal case substituted the community service decision with an order whereby he was sent to Henry Gurney Correctional School until he turns 21, but maintained the caning order.

He was convicted under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and caning.

The caning order comes under Section 293(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which was carried out yesterday. However, none of his parents or guidance were present.

It is learnt that his girlfriend had given birth to a baby boy, who will turn one on Oct 24.