22-year-old charged with raping, sexually assaulting 13-year-old cousin

MELAKA: A 22-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Courts in Ayer Keroh here to two charges of raping his underaged cousin sister and sexually assaulting the victim.

The plea of the accused was recorded before Judge Azaraorni Abd Rahman on Monday (April 22).

Based on the first charge sheet, the accused was alleged to have raped the 13-year-old girl at a house in Batu Berendam, Melaka Tengah, at 2pm on April 8.

The first charge was framed under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

For the second offence, the accused was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

He allegedly committed the subsequent offence at the same place and time as registered in the first charge.

Prosecution was carried out by Deputy Public Prosecutor Rashidah Baharom, and the accused was represented by counsel Norfazlinda Alimad.

The court granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety and fixed June 10 as the next mention date.