MUAR: An unemployed man was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 15 strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty to three charges of sexually assaulting his 14-year-old daughter.

Sessions Court judge Emelia Kaswati Mohamad Khalid handed down the sentence today, citing the seriousness of the offences, which took place on separate occasions between Oct 3 and 5 at a house in a settlement in Segamat.

The judge said the victim had been subjected to force and threats, leaving her with no choice but to comply with the accused's demands.

"The interests of the accused cannot outweigh those of the public," she said, adding that similar offences remained prevalent despite heavy sentences imposed by courts nationwide.