Bandar Seri Begawan - A 31-year-old local man insisted on pleading guilty yesterday, even when given a chance to seek legal advice before proceedings, to a charge of outraging the modesty of his sister-in-law. The Bandar Magistrate's Court has fixed Saturday for sentencing while considering the facts of the case.

The defendant, who works as a security guard at a government religious school, is married to the victim's younger sister.

On October 9, 2012, the victim was awoken from her sleep and was shocked to see the defendant in her bedroom. Before she could shout, the defendant covered the victim's mouth.

But at one point the victim managed to shout for help, hoping to wake her maid up, who was asleep.

The defendant then pinned the victim to the bed and groped her. The victim tried to free herself and started crying when she failed to do so.

The defendant released her and eventually the maid woke up and entered the bedroom.

The defendant ordered the maid out and the struggle between them continued. The victim, still pinned to the bed, punched and slapped the defendant on the head and escaped to the kitchen.

The defendant ran after the victim who then took a knife and threatened to kill herself if the defendant came close to her.

The defendant persuaded the victim and promised to stop.

When the victim calmed down, she called her maid to the bedroom and tried to lock the door but the defendant pushed the door and told the victim not to lock it as he wanted to stay behind and make sure she was safe.

The defendant then instructed the maid to get him a glass of water but was stopped by the victim.

The defendant pushed the victim who tried to leave the bedroom and left the maid to make her way out.

Another struggle ensued and again the victim ran away, went to where she left the knife earlier and threatened to kill herself again. The defendant then said he would leave the house and went downstairs and out of the house.

The victim went to the kitchen and took four sets of knives and brought them with her to the bedroom for her protection. As she was tidying up the room, the defendant suddenly reappeared and the victim took her knives out which the defendant managed to quickly pull out of her hands causing a cut on her finger.

Yet another struggle ensued before the defendant locked the room to trap the victim. He then expressed his feelings for the victim and forced her to kiss him.

He got aggressive when the victim refused and performed an indecent act.

When the defendant eventually left the house, the victim told her father about the incident who reported the matter to the police.

This resulted in the defendant's arrest on October 9, 2012. He yesterday told Senior Magistrate Haji Nabil Daraina PD Hj Badaruddin, a vital piece of information to the case according to the court, which the defendant did not tell the police or when his statement was being taken.

The defendant informed that on that fateful day, he had taken a stranger's offer of capsules worth B$5 each.

The capsule, according to the defendant, was some kind of general health supplement to boost energy with no side effects and was not a controlled drug, but might be the cause of his irrational behaviour.

DPP Hjh S Emeralda PD Hj Abas prosecuted the case.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin