Man claims trial to sexually assaulting, attempting to rape 8-yr-old niece

ALOR SETAR: A 48-year-old welder from Pokok Sena is claiming trial to three sex charges – two for physical sexual assault on a minor and one for attempting to rape said minor – after being charged at the Alor Setar Sessions Court here.

At the Sessions Court, the accused of Kampung Bukit Larek, Pokok Sena, was charged with committing an offence under Section 375(g) of the Penal Code for attempting to rape the girl aged eight years and eight months.

The offence allegedly took place at about 3pm on June 16.

The suspect is the victim's uncle.

The offence, under Section 376(1) of Penal Code which, read together with Section 511 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 15-year jail term and whipping upon conviction.

State deputy public prosecutor Rehab Abdul Shukur prosecuted, and asked the court not to allow bail.

She said it was a very serious case, stressing that the accused had family ties with the victim.

Rehab told the court the accused had previous records of rape and had been sentenced to 16 years behind bars but served only 10 years.

She also told the judge that the accused would be facing another two charges under Section 14(a) of the Child Sexual Offence Act 2017, and that she would apply for the cases to be jointly heard at Alor Setar Sessions Court 2.

Judge Juraidah Abbas fixed Oct 7, 2018 for mention, the engaging of counsel and surrender of court documents.

At another Sessions Court, the accused was produced before Judge Azman Abu Hassan and faced another two charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

On June 17 this year at about 2pm, the accused was said to have sexually assaulted a minor by touching the girl's private parts.

He was also accused of touching the girl's private parts on June 18 at about 5pm.

Both offences are punishable under Section 14 of the same act and carry a maximum 20 years of imprisonment and whipping if convicted.

Judge Azman fixed Oct 7 for mention and the submission of medical reports and the application for the charges against the accused to be jointly heard.

He denied the accused bail on the grounds of public interest.

The accused claimed trial to all three charges.