ALOR GAJAH: A divorcee, 27, has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on three charges of allegedly outraging the modesty of his two young stepdaughters and exposing himself in front of the children.
The accused, who works as a marketing assistant for an online cosmetics brand, entered his plea after all three charges were read to him before judge Aiza Khairuddin on Friday (July 25).
According to the first two charges, the accused allegedly committed physical sexual acts against the two girls, aged five and six.
If convicted, he faces a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping, as provided under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (SOACA).
The third charge alleges that the accused committed non-physical sexual assault by exposing himself to the siblings.
The charge was framed under Section 15(a)(i) of the same Act, which carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison, a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
All three offences were allegedly committed inside a bedroom and a bathroom at a residence in Rembia here between May 11 and July 5.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhamad Ali Hussain proposed to the court that the bail be set at RM20,000 for all charges, with one surety and additional conditions.
Lawyer representing the accused, Mohd Anif Rafih, appealed for a lower bail of RM12,000, citing his client’s limited income of RM2,000 per month and that he is a divorcee who is a sole provider for the alleged victims.
The lawyer also informed the court that the accused also provides for his biological child, a two-year-old under the care of the accused’s mother in Pendang, Kedah.
The court granted bail at RM15,000 with one surety, along with additional conditions as requested by the prosecution.
The accused must also report to the nearest police station once a month, surrender his passport to the court and be prohibited from contacting prosecution witnesses until the end of the case
The re-mention date is fixed on August 25.
