A CARPENTER pleaded guilty to six counts of incest and sexually assaulting his step-daughter in separate Sessions Court in Butterworth, Penang, today.

The 35-year-old accused was charged with three counts of committing sexual intercourse with the 11-year-old victim at a house in Jalan Perai Jaya 3, Butterworth, between January 2020 and April 23, 2022.

The charges are framed under section 376B (1) of the penal code, which provides for a jail term of up to 30 years and whipping upon conviction.

The accused was charged with three other charges of committing sexual assault on the victim.

The charges are framed under section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

Both courts set case mention on May 30, pending the victim’s medical, psychiatric and Children’s Interview Centre reports.

The accused’s wife, 40, also pleaded guilty to a charge of neglecting the victim, who is her biological child, in a manner likely to cause the child physical or emotional injury at the same place and within the same period.

She was charged under section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years or fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

The court set mention on May 31, pending the victim’s psychiatric report.

Both the accused were not allowed bail. – Bernama, April 29, 2022.