2007 06: 81-year-old man found not guilty of raping teen

The Star online. News. Courts. Wednesday June 13, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: One of Sabah’s oldest rape accused, Tausang Tingal Sagunting, 81, walked out of the Sessions Court a free man yesterday.

Judge Ravinthran N Paramaguru said the defence had raised reasonable doubt and found the rubber tapper from Tamparuli here not guilty of raping a 19-year-old.

Tausang smiled and clapped when the court’s decision was translated into his native Kadazandusun and was later seen shaking hands with his lawyer Damianus George Aludah.

Tausang was first charged on Dec 4, 2006 with raping the victim (now 21 and with a child) sometime in August 2004 at a farm in Kampung Laputong, Tamparuli, Tuaran, when he was 78.
He pleaded not guilty.

Tausang, who initially conducted his own defence rejecting free lawyer service, claimed in the trial that the sexual relationship was consensual (suka sama suka).

The prosecution maintained that the girl was a slow learner and not in a position to give her consent.

Midway through the trial, Tausang hired Aludah to defend him.