The Court of Appeal ruled that the conviction was sound and the sentences for all three charges were not excessive and did not warrant intervention by the court.

Justice Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, dismissing the final appeal by Tuan Sembok Tuan Puteh, said he was fortunate that the prosecution did not file a cross-appeal regarding the sentence.

“The sentence handed down by the (Kuala Terengganu) sessions court is lenient, and it was upheld by the High Court. Therefore, this court dismisses the appellant’s appeal and maintains both the conviction and sentence,” Zaidi said when delivering the unanimous decision.

Also sitting on the panel were Court of Appeal judge Azmi Ariffin and High Court judge Noorin Badaruddin.

Tuan Sembok was convicted of sexual assault against the schoolgirls in two different locations, beside a teacher’s desk and in the treatment room of a primary school in Dungun, Terengganu, at 10am between April 15 and April 18, 2019.

Today’s proceeding was attended by deputy public prosecutor Eyu Ghim Siang, while the appellant was represented by lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud.