KLANG: A senior citizen has been sentenced to 10 years’ jail after he was found guilty of physical sexual assault on an eight-year-old girl by kissing her on the mouth two years ago.

       Judge Syafeera Mohd Said meted out the sentence on Zakaria Kamaludin, 67, after finding the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubts on the case at the end of the defence case.

       She ordered Zakaria to serve the jail sentence from yesterday and to go for counselling throughout his imprisonment, as well as to be placed on a two-year probation supervision after completing his time, Bernama reported.

       However, the court allowed a stay of execution of the sentence following an application by Zakaria’s lawyer, M. Thanakumaran, to appeal against the sentence considering his client’s health, but subject to the condition that the appeal be filed within 14 days, failing which Zakaria would be sent to prison.

       The proceedings were held at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah as the accused was warded there for breathing difficulties.

       Zakaria was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment, and also whipping, upon conviction.

       He was charged with committing the offence in a house in Meru, near here, at 5.40pm on April 21, 2021.

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       In mitigation, Thanakumaran appealed for a lighter sentence on the basis that his client is a senior citizen, has a heart condition, and his health is deteriorating.

       However, deputy public prosecutor Nur Ayuni Jamri requested a stiffer sentence due to the tender age of the victim, who was only eight at the time.

       “The accused’s act of physical sexual assault on the victim shows that he disregards the laws of the country and religious laws, which prohibit such acts.

       “The accused also had no decency and compassion for this young victim, with a vast gap of 57 years between them,” she said.