MARANG: The police have detained a 20-year-old technician for allegedly outraging the modesty of 13 schoolgirls.
Terengganu Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief ACP Fazlisyam Abdul Majid said the department is currently investigating the case following a report lodged by a teacher.
"The teacher made a police report after a Year Two pupil complained that she was molested by a man in the school compound.
"Police seized two mobile phones from the suspect and found 15 videos showing the victims being sexually assaulted. We have identified the victims and have advised their parents to lodge a police report," he told a press conference at Marang district police headquarters here today.
According to Fazlisyam, the suspect targeted female pupils aged between eight and 12 while they were waiting for their parents to pick them up after school. The man would approach the victims on the pretext of asking for direction.
"The suspect would ask the pupils to lead him to the toilet before molesting them there. So far 13 pupils, 10 from schools in Marang and three from Kuala Terengganu schools, have lodged a police report.
"Parents should be more wary of their children's safety and schools, especially primary schools need to step up security measures," he said.
He said the suspect who has a criminal record for housebreaking, had been preying on children since last year.
So far police have opened 14 investigation papers against the suspect and the case is being investigated under Sections 5, 14 (B), 14 (D) of the Sex Offences Act Against Children 2017 which provides for 20 to 30 years imprisonment and whipping, if convicted. -- Bernama