Children's Home Caretaker Gets 36 Years' Jail And Caning For Sexual Assault

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- The Ampang Sessions Court today sentenced the caretaker of an unlicensed children’s home to 36 years in prison and six strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to nine charges of physical and non-physical sexual assault against five boys late last year.

Judge Ho Kwong Chin handed down the sentence to Retna Velu, 25, after the accused maintained his guilty plea when all charges were read out to him again in Tamil during the proceedings, and ordered it to take effect from the date of his arrest on April 3.

Based on the nine charges, the man committed the offences against five boys aged between eight and 13 at a children’s care centre in Batu Caves between November 2025 and March 27, 2026.

The physical sexual assault charges were filed under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provide for a maximum prison term of 20 years and caning upon conviction.

The charges involving non-physical sexual assault were brought under Sections 15(a)(i) and 15(a)(ii) of the same Act, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, a non-governmental organisation filed a police report after interviewing several children from the home, who revealed that they had been sexually abused by the accused.

Most of the offences were committed after the accused woke the victims from sleep at night, and the acts took place in various parts of the children’s home, including the bedrooms, toilet, and kitchen. The accused further threatened the victims to keep the incidents secret. 

Earlier during the proceedings, Retna, who was unrepresented, asked for a lighter sentence. However, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Hairuliqram Hairuddin requested that the sentences for all charges run consecutively, as they involved sexual offences against children.

“The sexual offences committed are very serious because they affect the dignity and safety of the victims. This case involves five victims, all of whom are children, and the impact of the crime will last throughout their lives.

"Therefore, I urge the court to impose a sentence that serves as a deterrent and a lesson, reflecting the gravity of the offences," he submitted.

Also present at today's proceedings were lawyers S. Kirthen and S. Premila, holding a watching brief for the victims' families.

-- BERNAMA