SEREMBAN: A 39-year-old man has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here for committing physical sexual assault against his young niece.
The suspect, a clerk, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before Judge Surita Budin.
The father of four allegedly committed the offence on the victim at a pool at a homestay in Kg Baru Sirusa in Port Dickson on April 9, 2024.
The victim was then three months short of her 15th birthday.
The accused was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 14 of the same legislation.
Offenders can be jailed up to 20 years and whipped upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then offered the accused a bail of RM20,000 pending the next mention.
However, counsel for the accused Mohd Azali Ibrahim asked for a lower amount as his client earned only RM2,000 a month and that his wife was only a homemaker.
The accused, he said, will be bailed by his older brother who worked as a security guard.
Judge Surita then set bail at RM8,000. She also ordered the accused to report at the nearest police station once a month until the case was disposed of and to not contact witnesses.
The court fixed March 4 for remention.
