Student must perform 240 hours of community service for rape

SEREMBAN: A student has been sentenced to 240 hours of community service after pleading guilty in the Sessions Court to raping his underage girlfriend.

Judge Surita Budin ordered Ronaldo Sillo Chundi, who was 19 at the time of the offense, to complete the sentence within two years.

Ronaldo, a handyman at the time, was accused of raping the 13-year-old girl in a Port Dickson hotel room on May 15 around 3 p.m.

He was charged under Article 376(1) of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and lashes.

“After considering mitigating circumstances by the defense, reviewing evidence before the court and the social report from the Ministry of Social Welfare, the court is of the opinion that a prison sentence and flogging are inappropriate in this case,” she said.

Judge Surita also ordered Ronaldo to provide collateral of RM5,000 with one surety to ensure he completes the community service within the given period.

She stated that if the suspect does not complete the sentence, he could be brought to trial on the same charges.

“You must also report to the nearest police station on the first of every month and attend counseling sessions organized by the welfare department,” she said.

Earlier, the suspect’s counsel, Kartikeyan Supramaniam, requested the court to impose community service as Ronaldo was a young offender.

He noted that the victim was the suspect’s girlfriend and that Ronaldo had not forced or injured her.

‘He has promised to take a new path after enrolling in a university program here.

“My client is remorseful and has promised never to repeat this mistake,” he said, adding that Ronaldo had not previously been in conflict with the law.

Kartikeyan argued that as a young offender, the suspect should be given the opportunity to continue his studies for a better future.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunandi asked the court to impose a sentence commensurate with the crime.