SIBU: A Form One student claimed she was sexually assaulted by a 55-year-old relative at a house in Sungai Bidut near here yesterday.
The girl, 13, was alone with her niece while her mother was at a nearby grocery shop when the attack took place about 5pm.
Sibu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Zailanni Amit said the victim claimed the attack occurred inside one of the rooms in her family’s double-storey house.
“The girl claimed that the suspect came to her house and asked if any of her family members were around.
“When he realised there was no other adults around, he took the girl to a room and locked the door.
"The man then pushed her down onto the bed and outraged her modesty," he said.
The girl tried to put up a fight but was overpowered by the man.
By the time the girl's mother came home, the man was already gone. The girl's mother came home and found her daughter crying in pain.
“The girl told her mother what happened and they lodged a police report the same day," said Zailanni.
The male relative, who lives in the same housing estate, was arrested shortly after the police report was lodged.
The case is being investigated under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction.
Translated from Berita Harian