SEREMBAN: A 32-year-old father of two who pleaded guilty to several sexual offences against children in the Sessions Court here last week changed his plea on Tuesday (Dec 16) just before he was due to be sentenced.
Muhamad Azizzuan Arsemi pleaded guilty when charged in a separate court on Dec 10, but changed his plea before judge Surita Budin today.
He was accused of committing physical sexual assault on three young girls and charged with indecent exposure against another victim.
His lawyer Muhammad Ahadiat Akashah told the court his client had decided to change his plea as he had allegedly been pressured into pleading guilty by the police.
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For the first charge, the accused was charged with committing physical sexual assault on a seven-year-old girl at a children's playground in Taman Senawang Indah around 6.40pm on Nov 21.
For the second and third charges, he was accused of the same offence on two victims aged eight and nine by the roadside in Taman Jasmin Indah around 6.30pm on Dec 3.
Azizzuan, a factory operator, was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.
For the fourth charge, he was charged with committing non-physical sexual assault on a 12-year-old girl at the Taman Jasmin Indah children's playground at 5.54pm on Nov 25.
He was charged under section 15(a)(i) of the same Act, which provides for up to 10 years' jail, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both upon conviction.
During today's proceedings, Azizzuan was slapped with a fifth charge of committing physical sexual assault on a girl who was three months short of turning 17.
He was charged with committing the offence at 6.40am on July 29 in Taman Marida in Senawang.
For this, he was charged under Section 14(d) of the Act, which also carries a jail term of up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.
He also claimed trial to the charge.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then told the court the prosecution was not offering bail to the accused.
"There are five different victims involved in these cases, and the alleged crimes were committed in different areas.
"The victims do not know one another and have identified the motorcycle used by the accused (at the time of the offences)," she said, adding that the accused was also a flight risk as he was facing serious charges.
She said Azizzuan also had a previous conviction for molestation under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
Lawyer Ahadiat pleaded for reasonable bail, adding that there was no proof to suggest the accused was a flight risk.
Judge Surita agreed with the prosecution and denied bail.
She then fixed Jan 21 for case management.
