JOHOR BARU: A 23-year-old factory store helper has claimed trial to two charges of sexually assaulting a four-year-old boy in October.
Muaz Saifullah pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him in front of Sessions judge Siti Noraida Sulaiman on Monday (Dec 16).
According to the facts of the case, he is accused of committing assault with sexual intent on the child.
The alleged offence was committed in a room of a house in Jalan Sri Stulang, Taman Sri Stulang, Johor Baru between 7.30am and 6.30pm on Oct 30.
The offence was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum of 20 years' jail and caning upon conviction.
The case was prosecuted by DPP Nur Farah Wahida Shahudin while the accused was represented by Mohammad Muzammil Mohammad Hairiri.
During the proceeding, the accused was seen crying and being consoled by his lawyer after the charges were read by the court interpreter.
Nur Farah Wahida then proposed bail to be set at RM20,000 for both charges with one surety, along with additional terms.
She said the accused should not disturb the victim or any witnesses throughout the trial, report to the nearest police station once a month, and surrender his passport to the court.
The accused's lawyer requested a lower bail as his client only earned between RM1,500 and RM2,000 a month.
“The accused is also living with his parents and has agreed to move to Kota Tinggi,” he said, adding that Muaz is also the son of the child's caregiver.
The court then set bail at RM15,000 for the two charges with one surety and set a restraining order preventing the accused from being within 6km of the victim.
He was also told to report to the nearest police station once a month and to not approach any witnesses in the case.
The court also set Jan 28 for next mention.
The accused posted bail.
It was reported last week that police here had detained a man for alleged sexual assault.
Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the 23-year-old factory worker was detained to help with an investigation into allegations of sexual assault on a child.
"A team.... arrested the suspect at 3.20pm in Taman Perindustrian Tampoi Jaya on Dec 7," he said.
