KOTA BHARU: A teacher claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to four counts of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old male pupil in March and May last year.
Syahril Faiza Zakaria, 51, was charged with committing two of the offences in a car at 2 pm in March 2024, while the remaining two were allegedly committed in a toilet at a resort in Pantai Cahaya Bulan here in May the same year.
The charges were framed under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable under the same section and read together with Section 16 of the same Act, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping for each count upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Faiz Fitri Mohamad did not propose bail, citing public interest, the welfare of the victim, and the position of trust held by the accused.
However, lawyer Mohd Saifullah Che Mat, representing the accused, appealed for bail to be granted, saying that his client was not a flight risk, had been suffering from a heart condition since May 2024 and was battling severe depression.
He also said that his client, formerly posted at a primary school, had since been transferred to the district education office.
Judge Zulkifli Abllah set bail at RM30,000 for all charges and imposed additional conditions prohibiting the accused from harassing the victim and requiring him to report to the nearest police station every two months.
The case has been set for mention on Sept 10.- Bernama
