How did the Court of Appeal assess the credibility of the teenage victim?

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Court of Appeal Affirmed Victim's Credibility in Dismissing Appeal

The Court of Appeal affirmed the credibility of the teenage victim in dismissing the final appeal of a property agent convicted of sexually assaulting a relative. The three-judge panel, comprising Justices Datuk Azman Abdullah, Datuk Azmi Ariffin, and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, found no reason to doubt the victim's testimony, deeming it credible and without fabrication. This assessment was central to their decision to uphold the eight-year prison sentence and two strokes of the cane.
Victim's Testimony Deemed Credible

Justice Azman, delivering the court's decision, explicitly stated that the victim's testimony was credible. He further elaborated that there was no indication or reason for the victim to fabricate her evidence regarding the assault. This finding was crucial in the appellate court's review of the case, reinforcing the basis of the original conviction.
No Error Found in Lower Courts' Decisions

The Court of Appeal found no errors in the decisions made by the High Court and the Sessions Court. The High Court had previously upheld the Sessions Court's conviction and sentence, and the appellate court saw no grounds to overturn these findings. This signifies a consensus across the judicial tiers regarding the weight and veracity of the victim's account.
Circumstances of the Offence

The sexual assault occurred in late January 2020 in Masai, Johor. The victim, who was 15 years old at the time, was invited into the accused's vehicle while walking home from school. The Sessions Court had found the man guilty of this offence under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and imposed the sentence on March 7 of the previous year.

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How did the Court of Appeal assess the credibility of the teenage victim?

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