A former substitute teacher’s final appeal against a 14-year jail term and 14 cane strokes for sexual offences against his stepdaughters was dismissed
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed a former substitute teacher’s final appeal against his conviction for sexual offences against his two stepdaughters.
A three-judge panel upheld his 14-year prison sentence and 14 strokes of the cane, finding no grounds for a reduction.
Justice Datuk Azmi Ariffin, who delivered the court’s decision, condemned the appellant’s actions.
He said the man had “the audacity to commit a heinous act” against the children entrusted to his care.
Justice Azmi emphasised the court views sexual offences with the utmost severity.
“Children in this country must be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation,” he declared.
The ruling stated the severe punishment was warranted and served as a necessary deterrent.
The appeal was against sentences originally imposed by the Sessions Court and later affirmed by the High Court.
He was convicted on seven charges in total.
These comprised four counts of physical sexual assault against one stepdaughter.
He was also convicted on three counts of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature with the other stepdaughter.
The assaults against the first victim occurred in a Gombak apartment between December 2019 and August 2020.
She was aged 16 and 17 at the time of the offences.
The offences against the second victim were committed in the same location in August and September 2015.
She was 14 years old at the time.
In 2023, the Sessions Court sentenced him to six years’ jail and eight cane strokes for the sexual assault charges.
He received eight years’ imprisonment and six strokes for the carnal intercourse offences, with sentences to run consecutively.
The High Court later dismissed his initial appeal, upholding the combined 14-year term.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Zain Ibrahim appeared for the prosecution in the final appeal.
The appellant was represented by counsel Bani Prakash from the National Legal Aid Foundation. – Bernama
