A PRIVATE university medical student pleaded guilty in the Muar sessions court today to the charge of possessing child pornography videos recorded using a mobile phone in a church toilet last month, reported the New Straits Times.
Desmond Tan Chee Yong, 20, made the plea after the charge was read by the interpreter in front of judge Abu Bakar Manat.
Tan, who is the eldest of two siblings, was accused of possessing child pornography in a church at Sialin Commercial Centre at 9pm on June 29.
He is charged with committing an offence punishable under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (AKKSTKK) 2017, which carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of RM10,000 or both if convicted.
The accused had reportedly entered the building’s third-floor toilet, placed a mobile phone with the camera activated in a red packet and left it in the toilet for an hour before retrieving it.
However, on the day of the incident, one of the victims, who was a child using the toilet, noticed the packet.
The victim was curious about the object in the packet after feeling heat when touching it and upon opening it, the victim found a mobile phone with the camera still on and reported it to the management.
Police investigations found that the recording contained footage of nine victims, including five children and four adults, who were showering and using the toilet.
Deputy public prosecutor Danial Munir prosecuted, while the accused was not represented.
The court allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM7,000 with one guarantor and set August 27 for a social report, facts, and sentencing.
The accused was also ordered to report to the Muar district police headquarters every month until the case is resolved.
Meanwhile, in the magistrates’ court, the accused, charged under Section 292 of the Penal Code, pleaded guilty to possessing obscene or indecent pictures on the same date and time.
Magistrate Fatin Dalilah Khalid allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM2,000 before the case is mentioned again on the same date as the sessions court case. – July 10, 2024
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