MIRI, Feb. 21 -- A 34-year-old man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment by the Sessions Court here for slapping his eight-year-old niece.

In addition to the jail term, the court ordered the accused to be placed on a one-year good behaviour bond of RM2,000 with one surety, and to complete 200 hours of community service within six months after serving his sentence.

Sessions Court Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman meted out the sentence after taking into account the accused's guilty plea, which saved the court's time and costs, as well as his mitigation, the facts of the case, the seriousness of the offence, and public interest.

The accused was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Ac...