JOHOR BARU: A physically-challenged man has been charged at a Sessions Court here with physical sexual assault against a five-year-old girl.
Salesman Mohamad Hafizwan Ayob, 30, pleaded not guilty to outraging the girl’s modesty and kissing her nose in a shopping mall in Taman Desa Tebrau at 8.15pm on March 16.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and caning upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Fadilah Johanuddin told the court that the accused and victim do not have family ties.
She added that the offence was non-bailable but offered bail at RM20,000 if the court wished to grant it.
When it was the accused’s turn to speak, he misunderstood the situation and told the court that he was innocent.
“Let me go. I did not do anything to the child; I merely carried her,” said Mohamad Hafizwan.
Sessions Court Judge Thalha Bachok @ Embok Mok explained that he was only allowed to ask for a lower bail amount as he had pleaded not guilty earlier.
“You will be given the chance to plead your case later,” she added.
To this, Mohamad Hafizwan asked for the bail to be reduced to RM5,000, adding that he has to take care of his parents and buy medicine every month for his mother, who suffers from breathing difficulties.
The court allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety and imposed additional conditions such as reporting to the nearest police station monthly, refraining from harassing the victim and witnesses and surrendering his passport.
The court also fixed April 28 for next mention and submission of documents.
