SEREMBAN: A 45-year-old ambulance driver has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to two counts of committing incest with his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
The accused pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before judge Surita Budin.
He was charged with committing the offences at around 2am on April 14, 2022, and 3am on July 31 the same year.
The alleged offences were committed at a government quarters unit.
The accused was charged under Section 376B(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of between 10 and 30 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi then told the court that the prosecution was not offering bail to the accused.
"However, we leave this at the court's discretion.
"If bail is allowed, we suggest a high amount," she said, adding that the accused should also be ordered to stay away from the victim and prosecution witnesses.
Nurul Balkis said the accused should also be told to report at the nearest police station monthly till the case is disposed of and to surrender his passport to the court if he had one.
The accused who was unrepresented asked for a low bail as he had to provide for his wife and two children.
When asked about the whereabouts of the alleged victim, the accused said she was in Kedah and would be sitting for her SPM exam this year.
Surita then set bail at RM9,000 with one surety and allowed the other applications by the court.
She fixed March 24 for mention to allow the accused to appoint a lawyer.
