Irish Court Sentences M'sian Child Psychiatrist To 8 Years' Jail For Sexually Abusing Teen
He plans to return to Malaysia upon his release from custody.
By May Vin Ang — 10 Dec 2024, 12:40 PM
A 38-year-old Malaysian child psychiatrist has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years' imprisonment in Ireland for sexually abusing a teenage girl
According to The Journal, Amirul Arif Mohd Yunos was employed at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin at the time of the offences.
The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim was not formally his patient, but he was known to her parents, who had asked him to treat their daughter for mental health difficulties on an ad hoc basis.
The victim was 15 when the sexual abuse started in May 2023, with the last incident occurring when she was 16 in September last year.
The court heard that the abuse began with inappropriate touching and escalated to oral and penetrative sex, with the offences occurring in several locations, including a car, his home, her home, and his workplace.
The accused pleaded guilty to six counts of engaging in a sexual act with a child under 17, one count of sexual exploitation of a child, and one of meeting a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation
The court heard that the victim has been experiencing significant and ongoing mental distress caused by the abuse, and wanted Amirul to be named, but wished to maintain her anonymity.
In her victim impact statement read by the prosecution, the girl said she has been left with "painful and grave trauma" and blamed herself for what happened.
She said she will "forever carry doubt towards the intentions of people" who want to help her.
Judge Orla Crowe said the offence warranted a "significant custodial sentence", given that Amirul had breached the girl's trust by grooming and abusing her, setting a headline sentence of 12 years
The judge added that it would have been expected for him to have greater insight into his offence and the potential damage it could cause, given his professional standing.
"He had qualified in this country and had been training in the area of psychology. He would have and ought to have been better placed than most," Crowe said, adding that his offence would prevent him from working in the same field in Ireland in the future.
However, she noted that the mitigation included an early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and his expressions of remorse.
The judge said Amirul was also "very fortunate his community and wife have stood by him", referring to testimonials submitted to the court.
Crowe imposed on him a sentence of eight years and six months, backdated to when he was arrested 14 months ago
At an earlier hearing, the court heard that Amirul had gone to Ireland to study medicine in 2006, and worked at a number of hospitals in the country before training in psychiatry.
During a voluntary interview with the police, Amirul reportedly said he did not consider his relations with the victim to be assault as it was consensual.
In separate court proceedings, he has agreed not to practise medicine and committed to return to Malaysia upon his release from custody.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
