BATU PAHAT: A landscape worker today pleaded guilty to molesting a woman who was performing prayers at a surau near Parit Raja, earlier this month.
The accused, Mohammad Sah Taswat, 29, pleaded guilty after the charge under Section 354 of the Penal Code was read before Magistrate Nurasidah A Rahman.
According to the charge, the accused intentionally committed the crime of molesting a 29-year-old female in the women's prayer hall at 1.20pm on March 8.
The accused may also face imprisonment for a maximum of 10 years, a fine or caning, or a combination of any of the two punishments under the applicable section.
Meanwhile, based on the facts of the case, the incident occurred while the victim was in the women's prayer hall before being approached by the accused.
The accused then closed the door and sat beside the victim before proceeding to touch her thighs.
A police report was then lodged by the victim after seeking help and the accused was then arrested four days after the incident.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Siti Khalijah Khalid while the accused was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Tan Song Yan.
Previously, the accused through his lawyer opted for a minimum sentence following his responsibility to support both of his parents, while the prosecution urged the court to impose a suitable punishment as a deterrent for the accused's behaviour.
The court then imposed a fine of RM3,000, in addition to serving a 12-month prison sentence if he failed to pay the fine.