SEREMBAN: A 53-year-old teacher has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old pupil at a school in Kuala Pilah.
The accused claimed trial after the charges were read before Sessions Court judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam yesterday.
The alleged incidents took place between 1pm and 1.30pm at the school library on Jan 2, 2024.
The teacher is facing charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni proposed bail of RM20,000 for each charge and requested additional conditions, that the accused stay away from the victim and prosecution witnesses, report to the nearest police station once a month, and surrender his passport, if any.
Norazihah also informed the court that the alleged victim was a pupil of the accused.
Lawyer Ramzani Idris appealed for a lower bail amount, arguing that his client had since been reassigned to the Kuala Pilah district education office and would not be in contact with the victim.
Mohamad Kamil set bail at RM15,000 for all three charges, with one surety.
He also granted the prosecution’s requested conditions.
The case has been fixed for mention on Aug 18.
