SEREMBAN: A 44-year-old lorry attendant charged with making an offensive and obscene gesture towards his 10-year-old neighbour was told by the Sessions Court to have his lawyer present when the case comes up for mention on March 14.
Judge Surita Budin told V. Poopathi that he would have to conduct his case on his own in the event he fails to engage counsel by then.
V. Poopathi had on Jan 10 claimed trial to the charge.
The alleged offence occurred around 11.55pm on Jan 4 at a house in Gemas.
The accused was charged under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail, a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both upon conviction.
The court was earlier told that the accused had requested a lawyer from the Legal Aid Department.
Poopathi, who had on Jan 10 told the court that he was a bachelor and only had a surviving brother, had remained in custody since then as there was no one to post bail for him.
Nurul Balkis Zunaidi prosecuted.
