Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad handed down the sentence on Madisin Sarabun, who pleaded guilty. He was charged under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Madisin was ordered to serve the jail sentence from today, and after completing his jail term, he would be placed under police probation for two years.

He was charged with touching the private part of a girl at a house in Kota Belud at about 12.40am on May 2.

In mitigation, the man said he had health problems and had to support an ailing mother, as well as a younger sister with a disability.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Farah Farriza Wan Ghazali said the court should take into account public interest and that the offence committed by the accused was serious.

In calling for a deterrent sentence, she said the accused was 61 years old and had committed “a heinous act” against the victim who was just eight years old.

“The plea of guilt cannot be a mitigation factor in view of the gravity, seriousness and rampancy of the offence committed.”