SEREMBAN: A 29-year-old badminton coach claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to three counts of committing physical sexual assault on a 12-year-old boy.
The coach pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before judge Surita Budin.
The accused was first charged with committing the offence against the victim around 3.30pm in May in a car in Nilai.
For the second, he was charged with committing the same against the victim around 5pm on July 8 at his house in Nilai while the third offence was allegedly committed in a school badminton hall here around 11.55am on Aug 5.
The coach, who is unmarried, was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 read together with Section 16(1) of the same legislation.
Section 14(a) provides a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, while Section 16(1) carries a jail term of up to five years and whipping of not less than two times.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then told the court that her team was offering the accused bail of RM30,000 with one surety for each charge.
She also asked the accused not to contact the victim or witnesses, to report to the nearest police station once a month till the case is disposed of and to surrender his passport to the court.
The father of the accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lower bail, adding that he would make sure his son appears in court.
Judge Surita then set bail at RM10,000 for each charge and allowed the other applications by the prosecution.
She fixed Oct 6 for remention and to allow the accused to appoint counsel.
