KUALA LUMPUR: An e-hailing driver has claimed trial to committing sexual assault on his 11-year-old stepdaughter.
The 37-year-old man is accused of the offence which allegedly took place at an apartment in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Cheras, at noon on Oct 19.
The charge falls under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and can include whipping upon conviction, Bernama reported.
Deputy public prosecutor Atiqa Nazihah Azmi told the Sessions Court that if bail is granted, the accused should not be allowed to stay in the same house as the victim and must adhere to other conditions set by the court.
Lawyer K. Narandra, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, requested a bail amount of about RM5,000 for the accused.
“My client will stay at his brother’s house in Putrajaya and the victim will be sent to a boarding school.
“The accused will be bailed by his wife, who is also the victim’s mother,” said Narandra, adding that the accused has three children, including two stepchildren.
Judge Azrul Darus granted bail at RM8,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court, report to a police station monthly and not to intimidate witnesses.
The court has set Dec 2 for the next case mention.
