AYER KEROH: A soldier, 23, claimed trial at the Sessions Court to three charges, including two counts of physically abusive sexual conduct involving two underage girls and possession of obscene materials.
The accused, Muhammad Fudhail Fathollah Hamdan, entered his plea before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin on Tuesday (Apr 11).
He is alleged to have committed the offences against a nine-year-old and an 11-year-old girl by pulling them into a house and using force on them in separate incidents.
The alleged acts took place on Apr 12 at about 4.30pm at an unoccupied house in Kem Terendak Sungai Udang, in the Melaka Tengah district.
The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. It carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
In a separate charge, he is accused of possessing obscene images and videos on his mobile phone. The device was seized during an inspection at the Melaka police contingent headquarters on Apr 13 at about 8pm.
The charge was framed under Section 292(a) of the Penal Code, which provides for up to three years' imprisonment, a fine or both if convicted. Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Qaiyyum Ramlan prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Amritpal Singh.
The court allowed bail at RM8,000 with one surety and ordered the accused not to approach the victims or prosecution witnesses. He must also report to the nearest police station monthly. The court set re-mention for May 26.
