3 days ago
Man claims trial to rape, sexual assault of teenage girl
KUALA LUMPUR: A part-time event management worker claimed trial at the Sessions Court today to three charges of raping, committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature and sexually assaulting a teenage girl last month.
The 27-year-old accused entered his plea after the charges were read out to him before judge Tasnim Abu Bakar.
On the first charge, he is accused of raping the 14-year-old victim against her will, an offence under Section 375(g) of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 376(2) (d) which provides a jail term not less than 30 years and whipping.
On the second count, he was charged with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature against the victim under Section 377CA of the code which carries an imprisonment not less than five years and not exceeding 20 years and whipping.
On the third count, he was charged with sexually assaulting the victim under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping.
The accused allegedly committed the offences between 3am and 4am at an apartment unit in Ampang on June 21.
Deputy public prosecutor Siti Pervinah Mohamad Yusof urged the court to set bail at RM30,000 for all charges, citing the severity of the alleged offences.
"It is important that vulnerable children are protected from potential exploitation and sexual harassment.
"The gravity of such crimes demands the court's utmost attention," said Siti Pervinah, who appeared with deputy public prosecutor Nur Sakinah Ahmad Sodikin.
In mitigation, lawyer Muhammad Amin Abdullah described the bail sum suggested by the prosecution as excessive and pleaded for leniency.
"My client takes care of his parents and is responsible for bringing them to the hospital in time of emergency," he said.
After hearing the submissions, Tasnim set bail at RM15,000 with one surety.
She also barred the accused from harassing the victim, ordered him to surrender his passport to the court and report to the police station monthly.
The court set Aug 6 for mention.
