A medical graduate pleaded guilty at the Sessions Court (Children Sexual Offences) Court in Putrajaya today with prostituting a 14-year-old girl and living off the income.

Sessions Court judge Yong Zarida Sazali sentenced Khairul Azzuar Yusoff, 30, to 10 years jail and one stroke of the rotan.

Khairul Azzuar had initially claimed trial but when seven witnesses were about to be called by the prosecution, he changed his plea.

He was charged with offering the girl for prostitution at a four-star hotel along Jalan Imbi between 2 pm and 3:30 pm on Jan 26 last year.

He was charged under Section 372A (1) of the Penal Code that carries a maximum 15 years jail sentence with caning.

Prior to this, the accused had been sentenced by another court to 24 years jail and eight strokes of the rotan for being a middleman for pimping activities.

DPP Jasmee Hameeza Jaafar asked for a deterrent sentence as the accused decided to plead guilty only after witnesses were called, He also said that such offences were not only against the law but also against religion.

Serve society call

Counsel Suzanawati Ismail in mitigation pressed for a lighter sentence and said her client could offer his medical expertise in prison. She revealed that Khairul had just received his letter of graduation.

"Khairul Azzuar wants to be given a second chance. As a result of this offence, his future is bleak and his family had shunned him," she said, adding it was the victim who had asked his client to offer her services.

Yong Zarida in sentencing said the court hoped that it would serve as a deterrent for him and prompt him to serve society in future.

"You are smart and will be given a second chance to turn over a new leaf," she said. 

The judge said she would allow Khairul's request to be imprisoned at the Sungai Buloh prison so he could be close to his family.

The court ordered today's jail sentence to run concurrently with the earlier prison term imposed.