UK man claims trial to alleged sexual assault on Indonesian man

New Straits Times

6 days ago

PETALING JAYA: A British tourist claimed trial at the magistrate's court today to a charge of using criminal force to outrage the modesty of an Indonesian man earlier this month.
Adekoya Oluwatoyosi Osideinde, 31, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read out to him before Magistrate Shahril Anuar Ahmad Mustapha.
"I understand (the charge). Not guilty," he said from the dock.
The bespectacled accused, dressed in a purple prison outfit, was brought into the courtroom at about 9.40am. He was seen clasping his hands together during the proceedings.
Earlier, when the case was called with his name, Osideinde stood up and said, "Yes, that is me."
His lawyer, Sivaraj Retinasekharan, requested that the charge be read out in English to ensure his client fully understood the allegation.
According to the charge sheet, the foreigner was accused of committing the act against the 47-year-old victim at about 8.34am in a hotel room here on Aug 2.
The charge, under Section 354 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 10-year jail term, or a fine, or whipping, or any combination of these, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Lim Leong Hui did not offer bail and asked the court to set a date for document submission.
In his bail application, Sivaraj asked that his client be granted minimal bail.
"He is a freelance independent wealth consultant with a valid tourist visa until September.
"He is innocent until proven guilty. Setting a high bail sum would amount to punishing him.
"If it is too high and he cannot afford it, he will remain in jail until the case is resolved, which may take up to a year," he said.
Sivaraj said his client had previously been charged in a separate drug case at the magistrate's court and was granted bail of RM5,000 with two sureties.
"There is no probability he will abscond on future court dates.
"He cooperated fully during investigations. Two local friends are willing to be his bailors and will ensure his attendance in court.
"I ask that a low bail be imposed, with two sureties, and that he is to report to the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters.
"We have no objection to the court impounding his passport, which is still valid," he said.
The magistrate granted the foreigner bail of RM6,000 with two sureties and set Oct 2 for mention.
After proceedings, Sivaraj said his client's friends would post bail, though he was unsure whether it would be done today or tomorrow.