MUAR, MALAYSIA - A 57-year-old grandfather was yesterday sentenced to 40 years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to two counts of raping his 13-year-old granddaughter. Sessions Court Judge Mohd Haldar Abdul Aziz ordered the sentences on the man to run from the date of his arrest on Aug 11.

The man was charged with raping his own granddaughter at his house in Simpang Lima, Bukit Gambir on July 19 at 11pm and on Aug 1 at 10.30pm this year.

Haldar sentenced him to 20 years' jail and be given 12 strokes of the cane for each offence. The sentences are to run consecutively.

The accused was unrepresented.

Deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Mutsutris pressed for deterrent sentences as the offences were serious.

The facts of the case showed that the girl was left in her grandfather's care after her parents were divorced.