MUAR: A 42-year-old man who pleaded guilty to molesting his 12-year-old niece said the act was "unintentional".
The unemployed father of three was sentenced to five years in jail and two strokes of the cane by Judge Sayani Mohd Nor.
The man was charged under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act for sexual assault.
According to the facts of the case, the victim was using her mobile phone in the hall of a house in the dark on Oct 21 when she saw the man come out of a room.
The girl tried hiding behind the sofa but was seen by the man who shouted at her.
She ran, but the man grabbed her and hugged her. Feeling uncomfortable, she struggled to free herself.
The girl later told her mother about the incident and a police report was lodged the same day.
Prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Danial Munir while the man was unrepresented.
The man was also ordered to attend counselling sessions. He will also be placed under police supervision for one year after his release from custody.