IPOH: Four friends, including a local university student, have been charged with raping and outraging the modesty of two underaged girls in Kampar in November.
Factory worker Norarisman Salleh, 27, security guard Muhamad Ikqwanniezam Abdullah, 24, and unemployed Muhammad Fariq Fadzilan, 30, unemployed, were charged separately with raping a 14-year-old girl.
All three claimed trial to the charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code before Sessions Court judge Norita Mohd Ardani on Friday (March 29).
The accused were said to have committed the offence in a room of a rented house in Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan in early November between 3.30pm and 10.30pm.
Norarisman was also charged under Section 14(c) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for outraging the modesty of a 15-year-old girl at the same location and time.
Business administration undergraduate Muhammad Alif Muhammad Zamhari, 23, was also slapped with the same charge of outraging the modesty of the 14-year-old victim at the same location and time.
Both accused claimed trial.
If convicted, all the accused could be jailed up to 20 years and whipped.
When requesting for lower bail, lawyer V. Santhiran, representing Norarisman, said it was his client's first offence.
Santhiran said Norarisman, from Temoh, had cooperated with the police during the investigation and was taking care of his parents.
Norita set bail at RM5,000 with one surety for each charge and fixed May 8 for mention.
Muhammad Alif's lawyer Muhamad Syahrul Nizam Mohd Rabi also said his client had cooperated with the police during the investigation.
"He also did not disturb the victim and wants to clear his name for his future.
"If given bail, it will be paid by his father, who is staying with him in the same house, and will ensure his attendance in court," he said.
Norita set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and ordered the accused not to harass the victim until the case is completed, before setting May 10 for mention.
Muhamad Ikqwanniezam and Muhammad Fariq, represented by Manal Hayati Mohd Ariff and Syamil Haidhar Abdul Jalik Alwi respectively, were each allowed bail at RM5,000 with one surety.
They were also ordered not to disturb the victims until their cases are completed.
Their case mention has been set for May 8.
DPP Qurratu'aini Khalifah prosecuted.
