SEREMBAN: A former trainee teacher claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to a charge of committing physical sexual assault against a 14-year-old male student in a school hostel.
Wan Mohamad Aliff Wan Mohd Sofian, 26, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge N. Kanageswari on Tuesday (Sept 23).
He was charged with committing the offence against the victim at around 7.30am on July 26.
The charge, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carries a jail term of up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then told the court that her team was offering the accused bail of RM20,000 with one surety.
She also asked the court to order the accused to stay away from the victim and witnesses, to report at the nearest police station monthly pending disposal of his case, and to surrender his passport to the court.
Wan Mohamad Aliff, who was unrepresented, pleaded for lower bail as he had just started working.
He said his father, who would be posting bail, would not be able to come up with a high amount, as his shop had been demolished to make way for a road expansion.
Judge Kanageswari then fixed bail at RM12,000 with one surety and allowed the other applications by the prosecution.
She also fixed Oct 23 for next mention.
Separately, a 35-year-old security guard claimed trial to a charge of committing physical sexual assault against his eight-year-old stepdaughter.
The accused was charged with committing the offence in a house in Kg Jijan Tengah in Nilai between 10pm and 6am at the end of December.
He was also charged under Section 14(a) of the same Act.
DPP Norazihah asked the court to set bail at RM12,000 with one surety.
The amount, she said, was from another case in which the accused had been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
Judge Kanageswari allowed the application and fixed Oct 23 for next mention.
