A 31-year-old Bruneian man was sentenced to 16 months in prison yesterday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of public indecency in the Panaga area, Seria.
Magistrate Dewi Norlelawati binti Haji Abdul Hamid handed down the sentence following the charges brought forward by Prosecutor Ahmad Firdaus bin Mohammad.
The court heard that on August 19 at around 1.30pm, Muhammad Abdull Kahar bin Haji Tuah, stopped his vehicle in the vicinity of the G4 and G5 housing areas in Panaga. While relieving himself at the side of the road, he noticed a woman, identified as Miss X, walking towards him with a dog.
The defendant exposed himself further and performed an obscene act in her presence, causing Miss X to feel alarmed.
She immediately reported the incident to her employer, who informed the housing management office. The following day, on August 20, at 7.20am, the defendant committed a similar offence at the F1 housing area in Panaga. After dropping off his wife at work, he noticed another woman, Miss Y, walking nearby.
The defendant stopped his vehicle, exposed himself, and again performed an obscene act in full view of the woman.
Miss Y also reported the incident to her employer, which led to a formal complaint being lodged with the housing management office.
Both incidents were reported to the Panaga Police Station after the housing management advised the victims to do so.
A subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of Muhammad Abdull Kahar. During questioning, the defendant admitted to committing the acts, stating that he was easily aroused when looking at women.
The court was informed that the defendant has no prior relevant convictions in the Sultanate. – Fadley Faisal
