The court ordered Meruan Daud’s sentence to commence from April 2, the date of his arrest after he pleaded guilty to the offence. He was also ordered to undergo counselling throughout his jail term.

Meruan, 49, had pleaded guilty to sodomising the 16-year-old at his barber shop in a village near Tawau, Sabah, on March 11, Harian Metro reported.

The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, which stipulates a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.

Deputy public prosecutor Suhaimi Suryana said Meruan had repeatedly sodomised the teenager from the time the victim was 13 years old.

In pushing for a harsher sentence, Suhaimi pointed out that the victim had been infected with HIV.

“A child this young should not be afflicted with such a disease. The accused also displayed no remorse or guilt for his actions,” he was quoted as saying.

According to the facts of the case, Meruan knew the victim as they were from the same village, and had sodomised the teenager once a week.

The offence came to light after the victim was referred to a hospital in Tawau for screening where he admitted to homosexual relations with the accused.