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Mount Kinabalu naked photo accused plead guilty Mount Kinabalu naked photo accused plead guilty
(35 minutes later)
Four tourists who posed naked on a sacred mountain in Malaysia have entered guilty pleas in court.Four tourists who posed naked on a sacred mountain in Malaysia have entered guilty pleas in court.
Briton Eleanor Hawkins, Canadians Lindsey and Danielle Peterson, and a Dutchman admitted causing a public disturbanceBriton Eleanor Hawkins, Canadians Lindsey and Danielle Peterson, and a Dutchman admitted causing a public disturbance
The group, with six others, were blamed for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake after they stripped on Mount Kinabalu.The group, with six others, were blamed for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake after they stripped on Mount Kinabalu.
All four pleaded guilty at Kota Kinabalu Magistrates' Court but deny some of the prosecution's accusations. All four pleaded guilty at Kota Kinabalu Magistrates' Court and the judge is considering sentencing.
The BBC's Jennifer Pak said Miss Hawkins, from Derbyshire, told the court she understood the charge and then pleaded guilty.The BBC's Jennifer Pak said Miss Hawkins, from Derbyshire, told the court she understood the charge and then pleaded guilty.
The prosecution said the four tourists, along with six others climbing the peak to enjoy sunrise on 30 May. The prosecution said the four tourists, along with six others, climbed the peak to enjoy the sunrise on 30 May and then challenged each other to take off their clothes.
As they descended, they challenged each other to take off their clothes and when their local guide said it was inappropriate they told him to "shut up" and "go to hell", the prosecution said. But the court amended the facts to agree the accused did not tell the guide to "shut up" or "go to hell" as the prosecution alleged.
When the judge asked the four foreigners if they agreed to these facts some of them shook their head. Their lawyer said they had simply ignored pleas not to remove their clothes, rather than verbally abuse the guide.
The court has adjourned for the accused to consult with their lawyer. Ronny Cham, representing the four, said they were ignorant of local customs and "their act had brought shame and ridicule upon themselves and their respective countries".
He asked the judge to not make an example of them, saying the intense international media coverage had traumatized them enough.
He called for them to be fined and deported rather than sent to jail.
The court remains in recess while the judge considers a sentence.
Earlier, the four arrived at court accompanied by officials wearing balaclavas.Earlier, the four arrived at court accompanied by officials wearing balaclavas.
They covered their faces as they entered the building, surrounded by a media scrum. The accused covered their faces as they entered the building, surrounded by a media scrum.
"There's a lot of public anger still against the tourists because many of them believe Mount Kinabalu is a sacred spot where their souls go to rest when they die," Ms Pak said."There's a lot of public anger still against the tourists because many of them believe Mount Kinabalu is a sacred spot where their souls go to rest when they die," Ms Pak said.
"The fact that these foreigners are alleged to have stripped on the peak, urinated and cursed at staff members trying to stop them is something that many locals say is disrespectful.""The fact that these foreigners are alleged to have stripped on the peak, urinated and cursed at staff members trying to stop them is something that many locals say is disrespectful."
On Friday last week, an earthquake struck killing 18 people, including children, and leaving hundreds more stranded.On Friday last week, an earthquake struck killing 18 people, including children, and leaving hundreds more stranded.
Sabah state deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan blamed it on the travellers showing "disrespect to the sacred mountain".Sabah state deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan blamed it on the travellers showing "disrespect to the sacred mountain".