MELAKA: A mechanic has claimed trial to a charge of physical sexual abuse against a child.
The 28-year-old entered a plea of not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions judge Haderiah Siri in Ayer Keroh on Friday (May 2).
The accused is alleged to have intentionally committed physical sexual abuse against the 11-year-old victim by touching her inappropriately.
The alleged victim is the foster child of the accused's mother.
The act was allegedly committed at an address in Batang Tiga, Tanjung Kling here at 7am on a day in February last year.
The charge is framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ jail and caning upon conviction.
DPP Wan Abdullah Wan Rodzlah offered bail of RM20,000 with additional conditions that the accused refrain from approaching the alleged victim or witnesses, report to the nearest police station once a month, and surrender his passport to the court.
His lawyer Umar Zulkarnain appealed for lower bail.
The court then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and imposed the additional conditions.
Next mention of the case has been fixed for June 9.
