SEREMBAN: A 22-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of raping a 15-year-old girl.
The accused who was 19 when the alleged crime was committed, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before Judge Surita Budin.
He was charged with committing the offence near a petrol station along Jalan Sg Gadut around 11.35pm on Dec 9, 2023.
The accused was charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi then told the court the prosecution was offering the accused bail of RM15,000 with one surety.
She also asked the court to order the accused to stay away from the victim and prosecution witnesses, to report at the nearest police station until his case is disposed of and to surrender his passport to the court.
Nurul Balkis said the alleged victim was an acquaintance of the accused.
The accused who was unrepresented pleaded for a lower bail as he had to provide for his father who was undergoing treatment for lung cancer while his grandmother was also sickly.
He told the court he worked as a helper at an eatery and also had to provide for his three younger siblings.
Judge Surita then set bail at RM10,000 with one surety and allowed the other applications by the prosecution.
The court then fixed March 10 for next mention.
