KUCHING: A Magistrate’s Court adjourned the delivery of judgment of a youth convicted of statutory rape after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The 16-year-old accused appeared before Magistrate Portia Tham Ong Leng who made the decision pending the probation report from the Welfare Department as he is a youthful offender.
He allegedly committed the offence at a house in Petra Jaya on Oct 15. The 12-year victim is believed to be his girlfriend.
Statutory rape, which comes under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, provides a maximum 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction.
It is said that the accused and the girl went to the house and had sexual intercourse before the incident was known to her family.
Her family then lodged a police report while the girl was sent to the hospital for a check-up.
The accused was subsequently arrested.