Kota Kinabalu: A 39-year-old man was jailed a total of 28 months and fined RM2,000 for sending obscene and sexual harassment emails to a female radio announcer, and having pornographic images on his handphone.
Jonathan Johar F Ginunggil, unemployed, who appeared before Magistrates Stephanie Sherron Abbie and Lovely Natasha Charles, Thursday, pleaded guilty to committing the offences.
Jonathan was sentenced to 16 months jail and fined RM2,000 or two months jail by Stephanie for insulting the modesty of the 29-year-old woman by sending obscene and sexual harassment emails to her at 3.54am from Nov 6, 2020 until Nov 11 the same year in Penampang.
On the second count, Jonathan was handed 12 months jail by Lovely for having pornographic images on his handphone at 4.10pm on Nov 12, 2020 at the Penampang police station.
Each Magistrate’s ordered Jonathan to serve the sentences from the date of his conviction.
Earlier, the court was informed by the prosecution that the complainant lodged a police report, complaining of receiving emails from a man she knew.
The woman said she received the emails every day from Nov 6 until Nov 8, 2020 while she was at a village in Penampang in which she received porn pictures.
The court heard that Jonathan also included religious elements in his email to the complainant in addition to emails that were obscene and sexual, as if the complainant had a relationship with him.
Jonathan also used the pictures of the complainant and her family members found on social media for his own use, said the prosecution, adding that Jonathan also asked her to stay with him in which Jonathan seemed to think that the complainant was his.
Investigations revealed that the complainant had known Jonathan since 14 years ago while attending mass in a church.
The complainant lodged a police report as she felt scared and threatened by the emails because Jonathan knew where she worked.
Unrepresented, Jonathan admitted to the offence and saying that he had no bad intention and had a crush on her.
Jonathan also claimed that he had known her since 14 years ago as they both attended Sunday school before.
He also informed the court that he is still undergoing treatment at Hospital Mesra in Bukit Padang and has an appointment there on April 1.
Jonathan requested for a lenient sentence because he has no money to pay a hefty fine as he was unemployed.
The prosecution tendered a report from the said hospital which stated that Jonathan was fit to plea.
The prosecution applied for an appropriate sentence.
The first count is framed under Section 509 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to five years or fine or both on conviction while the second count under Section 292(a) of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to three years or fine or both, upon conviction.
Inspectors Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit and Kelvan Elson Maik prosecuted.
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