KUALA LUMPUR: A magistrate’s court here has sentenced a jobless man to two years in prison and five strokes of the cane for molesting a 21-year-old woman.
Being a repeat offender with past records of robbery and stealing, DPP Noor Jazilah Mohd Yushaq asked for a heavy penalty, saying that the accused, Vincent Edward, 39, was not remorseful.
Unrepresented, Edward merely told magistrate Ashraf Rezal Abdul Manan on Thursday that he was unwell.
According to the statement of facts, on Feb 27 at about 9pm, the victim was walking along Jalan Tun Perak in front of the Masjid Jamek Light Rail Transit (LRT) station with a friend when the accused hugged her tightly from behind.
The accused, who was drunk at the time, touched her breast and kissed her.
The victim, a student who was in the city for industrial training, eventually freed herself from the accused and pushed him to the ground.
In another case, the same magistrate sentenced a Bangladeshi tourist to 18 months in jail and one stroke of the cane for touching the buttock of a 42-year-old woman.
Arifuj Jaman, 28, was charged with molesting the traditional medical practitioner on Feb 18, along Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin at 12.30pm.
Arifuj was represented by Ahmad Fairuz Arsyad while DPP Nor Diana Nor Azwa prosecuted.
Ahmad Fairuz requested for a fine so that Arifuj could return to Bangladesh.
The prosecution said Arifuj's actions had caused embarrassment and fear to the victim and he should be taught a lesson.
