SEREMBAN: A 22-year-old woman and her boyfriend claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of committing physical sexual assault on a nine-year-old female pupil in a school toilet in Rembau.
Nor Aleeya Suhadah Mohamad, who was a security guard at the same school, and 25-year-old self-employed Muahmad Mohd Mohtar pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to them separately before judge N. Kaganeswari on Tuesday (Oct 14).
They were charged with committing the offence in the female pupils' toilet between 9.30am and 10.30am on Oct 7.
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 requested the court for a mention date for the submission of documents.
She offered the accused bail of RM30,000 each with one surety and asked the court to order them to stay away from the alleged victim and prosecution witnesses, to report to the nearest police station once a month until disposal of the case, and to surrender their passports to the court.
Nor Fazrin Jamal, who represented Nor Aleeya, pleaded for a lower bail as she came from a poor family and had to provide for her five younger siblings.
"She has appointed a lawyer to defend herself as she wants to clear her name.
"But she used to earn only RM1,600 as a security guard and has many commitments like utility bills, rent and providing for her siblings," he said.
He said Nor Aleeya's mother, who would be posting bail, worked as a cook and earned RM1,700 a month while her father did odd jobs.
Muahmad, who was unrepresented, also pleaded for a lower bail amount.
Judge Kanageswari then set bail at RM20,000 with one surety for each of the accused. She also allowed the other applications by the prosecution.
The court then fixed Nov 17 for mention.
