Special court to handle child sexual crime heard five cases including a rape trial

PUTRAJAYA: The first day of the special court to handle sexual crimes against children, here, yesterday, saw five cases brought up for mention with one going straight to trial.
Former Klang Sessions judge Yong Zarida Sazali presided over the trial, a rape case involving a minor where two witnesses were called in to testify.
However, Yong barred members of the media from covering the trial due to the sensitivity involving the case.
Following the end of the first session yesterday, Yong set Aug 7, 8 and 9 as the next trial dates.
It is learnt up to 10 witnesses will be called up throughout the trial period for the case where the alleged incident occurred in Segambut recently.
If found guilty, the accused, who is unemployed, could be sentenced under Section 376 (1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a minimum 10 years to a maximum 30 years imprisonment, as well as caning.
Deputy public prosecutor Aimi Syazwani Sarmin appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel N. Zenathnara.
Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak inaugurated the special court to handle sexual crimes against children at the Palace of Justice
The existence of the first such court in Southeast Asia would help expedite cases related to sexual crimes against children and would focus on cases such as pornography, child grooming and child sexual assault in accordance with the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Chief Justice Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif had said 56 existing cases at the Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya sessions courts would be brought to the special court.