A 20-year-old delivery rider was ordered to serve 240 hours of community service within 12 months by a judge for raping a minor a few months ago.
This comes after Yarits Dzikri Yunus pleaded guilty to the charge at the Seremban Sessions Court yesterday (Nov 20), reported The Star and Kosmo.
Details of the case
According to the facts of the case, Yarits met the victim, who was two months away from turning 14 at the time, via a Telegram chat group.
He then allegedly raped the victim in a store near a house in Kg Ulu Beranang in Lenggeng around 3.30pm on Aug 22.
Yarits was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
‘He didn’t know the victim wasn’t 18yo’
In court, Yarits’ lawyer Asmawi Ismail asked for a lighter sentence, arguing that his client was still young and didn’t have a prior criminal record.
He also said Yarits was unaware that the victim was a minor as the Telegram chat group was only for those aged above 18.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni requested for a heavier sentence, saying that the court must take into account the fact that the victim was a child.
She added that a guilty plea should not be seen as a mitigating factor in light of increasing child sexual assault cases.
Conditions set by the court
Judge Surita Budin sentenced Yarits to community service totalling 240 hours, which he must complete within 12 months.
She also imposed the following additional conditions as well:
- Report himself at a police station monthly
- Undergo counselling
- Post a RM5,000 bail with a family member acting as a guarantor, where he faces a year in jail if he fails to comply
The judge also told Yarits that if he failed to fulfil the required hours of community service within the 12-month window frame, he will be hauled back to court to face the original charge.
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