Kuching court acquits ex-school guard on sexual assault charge

KUCHING (Oct 28): A former school security guard was discharged and acquitted by the Sessions Court here today on a charge of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl last year.

Judge Iris Awen Jon made the decision after finding the defence had succeeded in raising reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

“After considering all oral and documentary evidence presented throughout the trial and the arguments filed by both parties, the court is of the opinion that the defence successfully raised reasonable doubt over the prosecution’s case.

“This means the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused. With this decision, the accused is released and acquitted of the charge,” said the judge.

The 28-year-old accused was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years and shall also be liable to whipping.

He was alleged to have committed sexual assault against the teenage girl at a school in Bau at around 1.35am on Jan 18, 2023.

Eight prosecution witnesses and one defence witness testified during the trial.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Christopher Bada.