PEKAN - A TEACHER who taught religion, amongst other subjects, was sentenced to three months' jail and a RM13,000 (S$5,300) fine by the Magistrates Court here for molesting two nine-year-old female pupils four years ago.

Magistrate Emma Shahriana Ali meted out the punishment on Shaharudin Mat Hasan, 38, from SK Belimbing here, after finding him guilty of having molested the nine-year-olds at the computer laboratory of SK Sri Makmur, Pekan in August 2005. He had kissed the girls besides fondling their breasts and private parts.

He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for the offences and was liable to be jailed a maximum of 10 years or fined or whipped or any two of the above.

The accused was arrested on Oct 17, 2005, charged on Oct 25, 2005 and was relased on RM6,000 bail before being transferred to SK Belimbing.

Shaharudin, who was represented by counsel Muhd Hisham Abdul Rahim, appeared nonchalant when the sentence was read out to him.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor ASP Zawawee Ibrahim urged the court to impose a stiff punishment as Shaharudin, who taught religion and English at the school, had betrayed the people's trust in him. Magistrate Emma Shahriana then set bail at RM10,000 in one surety pending the appeal process. -- BERNAMA/ THE STAR