BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Judge Pengiran Masni Pengiran Bahar on Tuesday (Sept 3) sentenced a 42-year-old Bruneian to seven years, six months jail with four whippings for outraging the modesty of his 13-year-old great-niece.
The judge said that the defendant’s acts were tantamount to a gross breach of trust to the victim who is his great-niece, the person whom the victim trusted and of vulnerable age.
“This betrayal will significantly damage her trust,” the judge said.
She added, “One can imagine that it must be a traumatic experience for a 13-year-old girl. A deterrent sentence is imperative to protect the young and the vulnerable victim”.
The incidents in July and August, were detailed in court by Prosecutor Aeny Zullizam.
The defendant, who lives in Mukim Kota Batu, was entrusted with the care of the victim during her visits to her father’s house, which is located nearby.
The victim’s parents are divorced.
Despite this position of trust, the court heard that the defendant used criminal force against the young girl on two separate occasions.
On the first occasion, on July 11, the defendant invited the victim to his house and she agreed to go over assuming that she would be spending time with the defendant’s daughter, her cousin.
When she arrived, he hugged her from behind and proceeded to inappropriately touch her. The victim managed to escape and returned to her father’s house immediately afterward.
The second incident occurred on Aug 7. The victim visited the defendant’s house again, where he forcefully made her sit on his lap before committing further indecent acts. The court heard that the defendant instructed her not to tell anyone about the incident and gave her BND10 a few days later.
The matter came to light on Aug 11, when the victim confided in her mother about the abuse. Her mother promptly lodged a police report, leading to the defendant’s arrest.
During the investigation, the defendant confessed to the offences. The court also noted that he has no prior criminal record. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
