SHAH ALAM: A part-time event management consultant has pleaded guilty to stalking a woman photographer by harassing her through social media in July, after he had earlier claimed trial to the charge.

       Mohamad Safiq Rosli, 37, the first to be charged for stalking under Section 507A (1) of the Penal Code, entered the plea before Magistrate Sasha Diana Sabtu on Friday (Dec 15).

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       He had pleaded not guilty when the charge was first read to him on Aug 10.

       On the same day, the court also allowed the prosecution’s request to refer the accused to the Forensic Psychiatric Unit of Ulu Kinta Hospital for observation.

       Magistrate Sasha Diana, in accepting the guilty plea, said she had read the findings of the medical report which stated that the accused was "fit for trial, also fit to plead".

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       The court then set Tuesday (Dec 19) to hear the facts of the case before sentencing.

       Mohamad Safiq was charged with repeatedly harassing Acacia Mardiana Daud, 31, through Twitter (now X) under the account name "@sopert99" by sending three communications which expressed his feelings for her to her account which was read at a house here.

       He was alleged to have committed the offence between 1.40am on July 15 and 5.58pm on July 21 despite knowing that the act was likely to cause, distress, fear or alarm to her.

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       He faced imprisonment of up to three years or a fine or both if found guilty.

       The prosecution was handled by DPP Zilfinaz Abbas while Fithril Hakim Ab Jalil represented the accused. – Bernama