Man arrested for raping 12-year-old stepdchild

TAWAU - A man was arrested here, on Saturday for allegedly raping his 12-year-old stepchild.

The 32-year-old foreign man was suspected of performing the vile act at a house located in an oil palm plantation area in Merotai.

Tawau district police chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin said the incident took place when the victim stayed with the suspect.

He said the victim contacted her family to reveal what the suspect done before action was immediately taken.

"Based on reports, the victim stayed with the suspect since March 5 and told her sister in Lahad Datu about the rape through WhatsApp.

"Based on information received, a police team from the Bombalai police station was dispatched to the scene to track down and arrest the suspect," he said when contacted by Sinar on Monday.

He said the suspect was then brought to the Tawau district police headquarters for further investigations.

"The case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape and Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for residing in the country without certified documents," he said.