KOTA KINABALU: A 25-year-old man has claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to a charge of raping a woman with Down syndrome at a house in Ranau more than four years ago.
The accused pleaded not guilty before judge Hurman Hussain after the charge was read out to him on Monday (March 2).
He is alleged to have raped the 21-year-old woman between 9pm and 9.15pm on Nov 19, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 376(2)(k) of the Penal Code for rape committed against a person with a disability.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a jail term of between 10 and 30 years, and whipping.
The court fixed April 27 for case management and denied bail on the grounds that the accused resides near the victim.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir prosecuted.
