T Rakesh Kumar, 44, pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 457 of the Penal Code at the Alor Setar magistrates’ court before magistrate Nur Shifa Mohd Hamzah, Berita Harian reported.

He was also fined RM1,500 and ordered to serve six months in jail if he fails to pay.

The offence took place at about 2.50am on May 29 at Ahmad Bashah’s residence in Taman Rakyat.

Rakesh’s lawyer, Aina Shafina Idrus Saidi from the National Legal Aid Foundation, appealed for a lighter sentence, saying her client had no fixed income and was supporting his wife and sick parents.

However, deputy public prosecutor Nur Sharmila Md Asri asked the court to impose an appropriate sentence and whipping as a deterrent due to his criminal record.

The court ordered the jail sentence to begin from the date of arrest.