V Retna, 25, pleaded guilty to three charges of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature involving two boys aged eight and 10 years old at a children’s welfare home in Batu Caves between February and March.
The charges were framed under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of not less than five years and up to 20 years, as well as whipping.
Retna was also charged with two counts of physical sexual assault against the two victims at the same location in March under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping.
For another charge, he was accused of committing non-physical sexual abuse against the 10-year-old victim at the same location and date under Section 15(a)(i) of the same Act, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both.
Ampang sessions court judge Norshila Kamarudin imposed an 11-year jail term for each charge against Retna and ordered the sentences to run concurrently from the date of his arrest on April 3.
He was also sentenced to one stroke of the cane for each of the first to fifth charges.
In addition, Norshila ordered Retna to undergo counselling throughout his imprisonment and to be placed under police supervision for two years after completing his sentence.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie, who conducted the case with Hairul Iqram Hairuddin, urged the court to impose a heavy sentence as a deterrent.
She noted the public’s interest in the case, and the severe psychological impact the accused inflicted on the victims.
Retna faces nine more charges involving similar offences against different victims before Ampang sessions court judge Ho Kwong Chin, with sentencing for those charges set for June 4.
Earlier, the mother of the eight-year-old victim said her son became withdrawn and fearful of speaking or interacting with others after the incident.
“I received complaints from the school that my son’s academic performance had declined and that he was often tired,” she said in her impact statement.
“However, he now appears to be doing better after he was provided counselling by his teachers.”
Meanwhile, the aunt of the 10-year-old victim said the boy’s emotional state was now unstable.
She also said the boy is now afraid of strangers – especially men – and frequently recounts the traumatic incident to family members.