Two of the suspects in the Malacca classroom gang rape were hauled to the court today (16 October), where one of them pleaded guilty to all three charges – gang rape, committing unnatural intercourse, and physical sexual assault.
Another accused who pleaded not guilty requested a lower bail as he had just undergone sinus surgery and is suffering from a hernia. Both defendants appeared in court with their respective lawyers and family members.
The defendants cried and hugged their parents
Outside the court, both defendants got emotional, causing them to cry and hug their parents. The lawyer representing the first defendant pointed out that the defendant is the eldest son in the family, and his father is a civil servant who has to bear the living and education expenses of the other two children.
As for the second defendant, who pleaded guilty, his lawyer pointed out in his plea that the teenager’s parents had separated and the defendant was being raised by his mother alone.
The prosecution, led by State Prosecution Director Datuk Ahmad Sazali Omar, proposed bail of RM20,000 for each charge against both accused, citing the seriousness of the case.
Magistrate Dr Teoh Shu Yee later set bail at RM4,000 for the first charge and RM1,500 each for the second and third charges, bringing the total to RM7,000.
The charges were framed under Section 375B of the Penal Code (gang rape), Section 377B (voluntary participation in unnatural carnal intercourse), and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017.
If found guilty, the defendants can face up to 30 years in jail.
Since the defendants were all minors, the court imposed the same sentences as adults, except that they were first sent to a reformatory and then to prison to continue serving their sentences, as reported by China Press.
Stay tuned as we keep you updated.
