Religious teacher claims trial to sexual assault of pupil, 12

MELAKA: A religious teacher has claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh to a charge of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old female pupil.

A plea of not guilty by the 25-year-old accused was recorded before Sessions judge Rohatul Akmar Abdullah on Tuesday (July 30).

Based on the charge sheet, the accused allegedly hugged the victim from behind and caressed her buttocks at a madrasah in Melaka Tengah district between 9.30am and 11.30am on April 12.

The charge was framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for imprisonment not exceeding 20 years and whipping if convicted.

DPP Nur Syazwanie Marizan prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Mohamed Musthafa.

The court granted bail of RM12,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station at the start of every month until the end of the case proceedings.

Next mention was fixed for Aug 30.