KUALA SELANGOR: A male student has pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing sexual assault against a female classmate at a secondary school in Sabak Bernam two weeks ago.
The 15-year-old Form Three student made the plea before Magistrate Mohamad Ibrahim Muhammad Ghulam in closed proceedings in the Magistrate's Court here on Monday (Oct 27).
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Azamuddin Razak said the teenager was charged with sexually assaulting his female classmate, also 15, in a classroom at their school around 9.30 am on Oct 13.
The charge was filed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a penalty of a fine, compensation, or costs; a community service order; or being sent to an approved school such as Henry Gurney School, upon conviction.
Additionally, the court may impose a custodial sentence for a specific period, subject to Section 96(2) of the Child Act 2001.
Muhammad Azamuddin suggested bail of RM6,000, taking into account the seriousness of cases involving school students recently.
Counsel Aina Suraya Ahmad Nor Hisham, representing the accused, requested a reduction in bail because her client needed treatment due to a road accident.
The court then allowed bail of RM2,000 with one surety and set Dec 1 for the mention of the case.
On Oct 16, Sabak Bernam District Police Chief Supt Md Yusoff Ahmad reported that a male teenager was arrested after being suspected of sexually assaulting a female teenager at a school in the district on Oct 13.
The suspect allegedly committed the act during recess before being arrested on the same day. – Bernama
