Grass Cutter Sentenced to 28 Years for Raping Sister-in-Law

By Subaashinee Kupusany,

8 SEPTEMBER: A grass cutter has been sentenced to 28 years in prison and 24 strokes of the cane after being found guilty of raping his 12-year-old sister-in-law in 2021.

The Sessions Court delivered the verdict after the 39-year-old man was convicted on three counts of rape under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code. The incidents took place between February and July 2021 at a house in Marang, Terengganu, when the victim was just 12 years old.

Judge Nooriah Osman sentenced the accused to 14 years in prison and 10 strokes of the cane for each count of rape. However, the court ruled that the sentences for the second and third charges would run concurrently with the first, resulting in a total imprisonment term of 28 years.

The defendant will only receive 24 strokes of the cane, as per the legal limit under Section 288 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Despite the severity of the crime, the court granted the accused a stay of execution for his prison sentence, provided he posts a bail of RM35,000. The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noradila Ab Latif.

The case has drawn significant attention, with many noting the leniency of allowing bail for such a grave offense. Nevertheless, the court’s decision has ensured that the man will face decades behind bars for his crime as stated in Berita Harian.