BUTTERWORTH: Contradictions in the evidence given by four boys, a mother and teachers have led to the acquittal of a school principal charged with sexually assaulting the boys.

       The Sessions Court freed Zainuren Mohamed, 59, without calling for his defence.

       Judge Noor Aini Yusof, in her judgment yesterday, said there were contradictions in the evidence given by one of the mothers and some of the victims.

       “The first person who brought up this allegation was not called to testify,” she said.

       She added that she found contradictions in the testimony of two teachers who were called to the stand, on top of prosecution witnesses.

       Nine prosecution witnesses testified in the case.

       In January 2019, Zainuren pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexually assaulting four male students aged between 11 and 14 at a school in Permatang Tok Jaya here between April 16 and Oct 10, 2018.

       He had been charged under Section 14(a) of Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017, which provides for a jail sentence of up to 20 years and whipping.

       “I thank my lawyers and my wife for her undivided support from the beginning,” an emotional Zainuren said outside the courtroom.