IPOH: A female religious teacher at a secondary school here has been charged with three counts of committing sexual assault on her 16-year-old student on the school premises.
The 48-year-old accused pleaded not guilty when the charges under Section 14(a) and Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 were read before Sessions Court judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad on Monday (Sept 28).
The accused allegedly committed the offences at a secondary school in Ampang, Ipoh, on three occasions between November and December 2024 at about 3.30pm.
Those convicted under the provisions face up to 20 years in jail and whipping upon sentencing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin requested that no bail be granted, noting that the charges involve non-bailable offences.
Defending lawyer Amira Sofea An-Nur Ahmad Basri asked the court to exercise discretion and grant bail, explaining that the accused is the sole breadwinner for her family.
"She is married with six children aged between eight and 22," Amira Sofea said.
"Two of them are in higher learning institutions, while four others are still schooling."
She added that the accused's husband has no fixed income and that this was her client's first offence.
"She has received several awards of excellence and her friends will ensure she attends court," Amira Sofea said.
"She also suffers from migraine and high cholesterol issues and is on regular medication."
Judge Ainul Shahrin set bail at RM10,000 with one surety and fixed Oct 28 for document submission and mention of the case.
