SEREMBAN: A cafe worker has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of raping a girl who was a month short of turning 16.
Abu Suffian Hashim, 23, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Surita Budin on Friday (Jan 30).
He was charged with committing the offence around 5.30pm on a day in May last year along a road near Taman Bahagia Delima in Kuala Pilah.
He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.,
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi told the court the alleged victim was an acquaintance of the accused.
The accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a low bail amount.
Judge Surita then set bail at RM12,000 with one surety.
She also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month until his case is disposed of, and to stay away from prosecution witnesses.
She then fixed March 16 for next mention.
