English teacher cleared of distributing obscene picture to teenage girl

An English teacher was acquitted and discharged by the Magistrate's Court here today of a charge of distributing an obscene picture to a teenage girl five years ago.

Magistrate Namirah Hanum Mohamed Albaki made the decision after the defence managed to raise a reasonable doubt on C.Shanmuga, 35, at the end of the defence case.

"Therefore, the accused is hereby acquitted and discharged and the bail money will be returned," she said.

The teacher was accused of distributing the obscene picture to the girl at Jalan GU 3/10, Taman Garing Utama, Rawang, between April 21 and 27, 2010.

He was charged under Section 293 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of five years or fine, or both, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Hafizah Rajuni prosecuted, while Shanmuga was represented by lawyer Haresh Mahadevan.