Man gets 42 months’ jail for molesting two sisters in their sleep in Kuching

KUCHING (March 6): A 69-year-old man was sentenced to a total of 42 months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates’ Court here on Friday for using criminal force to outrage the modesty of two sisters while they slept.

Salleh Jolhi pleaded guilty to two charges under Section 354 of the Penal Code involving the two victims, aged 21 and 22-years-old.

This section carries jail term of up to ten years, or fine, or whipping, or any of the two punishments, upon conviction.

Magistrates Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan and Ling Hui Chuan sentenced him to 24 months and 18 months’ imprisonment respectively, with the sentences to run consecutively.

The offence was committed at a house in a village along Jalan Sultan Tengah here at about 8am on Monday (March 2).

According to the facts of the case, both victims were fast asleep at home when the accused entered their room and suddenly lay down between them.

He fondled the breasts and buttocks of the 22-year-old while pulling down her trousers against her will, before fondling the buttocks of the 21-year-old.

The younger of the two then realised the accused was in between them, committing the vile acts, and shrieked in horror, which scared him away.

A police report was lodged, leading to his eventual arrest.

During an identification parade, both victims confirmed Salleh as the perpetrator.

It was also understood that Salleh was unrelated to the victims, but lived in the same village and often entered neighbours’ houses in the area.

Salleh sought leniency, informing the court that he was senile and did not know why he had committed the acts.

Deputy public prosecutors Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan and Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani appeared separately for the prosecution, while Salleh was unrepresented.