Feb 23 sentencing for local who raped, impregnated niece

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KOTA KINABALU: A local teenager will be sentenced at the Sessions Court here on Feb 23 this year for raping his niece until she gave birth to a child.

Judge Caroline Bee Majanil put off the sentencing of the 19-year-old unemployed man who decided to plead guilty yesterday pending the production of his probation report from the Welfare Department.

The accused was charged under Section 376 (3) of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail of 30 years and whipping, upon conviction.

The youth admitted to raping the 16-year-old girl at a house in Kudat at 10.30am on Oct 16, 2010.

During the previous hearing, the court postponed the case to give ample time for the accused to consider whether he wanted to proceed with the trial or change his not guilty plea to one of guilty as the DNA result had confirmed that he was the biological father of the baby girl conceived as a result of the rape.

Prosecuting officer Assistant Superintendent Sabrina Jinius, who tendered the DNA report, had so far called two witnesses to testify against the accused at the Kudat Sessions Court.

However, counsel Hibin Masalin, who represented the accused had on that day asked for another date for re-mention of the case, as he needed ample time to discuss with the accused about the matter.

Jinius then raised no objection for the case to be postponed.