Ball bearing rapist jailed over escape

KLANG: An illegal immigrant, also notoriously known as the "ball bearing rapist", who escaped from police custody, was today sentenced to a one-year jail term and fined RM6,000 at the magistrate's court.
Indonesian national Rahim Muhamad Pugawan, 23, pleaded guilty to escaping from the North Klang District Police Headquarters here on June 19 while in custody for investigations into alleged rape and robbery offences.
Rahim, who had three ball bearings implanted in his penis, had escaped through a window inside the toilet after claiming that he wanted to ease himself.
He was arrested on June 20 after breaking into a house and attempting to molest a 14-year-old girl.
The charge under Section 224 of the Penal Code carries a maximum two years imprisonment or a fine or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Syed Farid Syed Ali asked the court to impose a heavier sentence because the accused had committed additional offences by breaking into a house to steal and attempting to molest a girl while he was on the run.
During mitigation, Rahim, who was not represented, asked for a lower sentence as he had two young children back in his hometown in Madura.
Magistrate Nor Asma Ahmad then sentenced him to a year in prison from the date he was arrested and a RM6,000 fine, or six months' jail in default.
Rahim did not pay the fine.
Rahim will face the sessions court on Aug 2 for sentencing for the rape and robbery offences he is charged with.
He has already pleaded guilty to the charges.