Kuching sessions court judge Musli Abdul Hamid ruled that the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against the 42-year-old, Dayak Daily reported.

The warden, who has also been a teacher at the school for 15 years, was found guilty of committing the offence on the male victim at the warden’s quarters of the students’ hostel at about 6.30am on Oct 28, 2022.

The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, which is punishable by a maximum 20 years in prison and caning, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, the student had a high fever and sought assistance from the warden.

A police report was only lodged on Nov 18, 2023.

Musli said the delay in reporting the crime was “reasonable” as the victim was ashamed about the incident and feared that reporting it would disrupt his preparations for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.

He ordered the warden’s jail term to commence from Oct 2 and for him to undergo counselling while serving his sentence.

The warden will also be placed under police observation for three years after his release from prison.