National aquatics coach pleads not guilty to rape

KUALA LUMPUR: A national aquatics coach has claimed trial to raping his trainee, a 20-year-old national diver.

Huang Qiang, 35, was charged with raping the woman at the diving gym of the National Aquatic Sports Complex, at Bukit Jalil in Seri Petaling at 5.30pm on Sept 26.

If convicted of the offence under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, he faces up to 20 years in prison and whipping.

DPP Hafizza Sauni urged for no bail to be given as the accused could harass the victim or her teammates, who were potential witnesses.

Defence lawyer Mohd Hisham Md Nen pleaded for leniency, saying his client only earned RM3,000 and had to care for his wife and two children, aged six and one.

Lawyer Cheow Wee, who conducted a watching brief for the victim, applied for the victim's identity to be kept private.

“She was already traumatised enough. Plus, she is still training for the upcoming Olympics as part of the aquatics elite team,” he said.

Judge Wan Mohamad Norisham Wan Yaakob allowed the application by the victim’s lawyer and fixed bail at RM50,000 with two sureties.

He set additional conditions that Huang surrender his passport, report to a police station twice monthly, and stay away from the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex when training is being carried out.

The court fixed Nov 6 for next mention of the case.