Taxi driver jailed 11 months for molesting security guard

KUALA LUMPUR: A taxi driver was sentenced to 11 months' jail by the Magistrate's Court here today for molesting a school security guard, last month.
Zakariya Rulil, 53, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Husna Dzulkifly for sexually harassing a 23-year-old woman, in Jalan Kuching here while she was riding the taxi to work on Aug 31 at 7am.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years or a fine or whipping or any two of the penalties.
According to the facts of the case, the accused stuffed his left hand down the victim's shirt, shocked from the incident the woman scolded Zakariya and demanded him to take her to her workplace and upon nearing the final destination, Zakariya once again used his left hand to harass the victim.
During mitigation, Zakariya who was unrepresented, appealed to the court for a light sentence and repented for his act of indecency.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Zikri Jaafar, urged the court to give a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson to the accused and the public because sexual harassment is a frequent occurrence.
He added that the victim would be scared to use a taxi as a form of transport in the future. — Bernama