SIBU: A man has been sentenced to 26 years’ in prison and 23 strokes of the rotan by the Sessions Court for various sexual offences against two minors on Tuesday (Oct 8).
The accused Noor Azhar Nawawi, 40, pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and one count each of unnatural sex and indecent assault.
Judge Musyiri Peet meted out the sentence after considering the severity of the case, public interest, and the defendant’s guilty plea.
Noor Azhar had appealed for a lighter sentence, citing his responsibility to care for his elderly parents and his ailing wife.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Amirul Hakim Mohamad Zamri pressed for a severe punishment, emphasising the serious nature of the crimes and the young age of the victims.
The offences, committed between August 2017 and Sept 7, 2024, involved two minors.
The offences took place in a house in Kampung Bahagia Jaya.
Azhar was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Section 354 of the Penal Code for indecent assault, and Sections 376(1) and 377B of the Penal Code for rape and unnatural sex.
Judge Musyiri ordered the accused to serve the prison term from the date of his arrest on Sept 22.
