IPOH: A 24-year-old man has been charged at the Sessions Court here with raping an underage girl he met online and impregnating her three years ago.
Mohamad Al-Fierus Syarkawie Mohd Khamis, who works at an eatery in Tapah, claimed trial to the charge before judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason on Friday (Oct 9).
He is accused of raping the girl, who was 14 at the time, at 5.15pm on Sept 1, 2023 in a flat on Jalan Hospital here.
Charged under Section 376 (1) of the Penal Code, he faces up to 20 years' jail and possible caning if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin proposed bail of RM22,000 with one surety.
She added that the accused was on the wanted list and arrested only recently.
"The accused spoke to the victim online, and met her for the first time in 2023 before raping her.
"The victim’s mother found out the victim was pregnant and lodged a police report," she said, adding that the victim subsequently gave birth.
She also applied for additional conditions, including for the accused to report to the nearest police station pending disposal of the case.
Al-Fierus, who was unrepresented, said in mitigation that he earned RM1,800 a month.
He asked for a lower bail amount and said he would not disturb the victim.
He also claimed that he was not aware of his earlier court date because of a miscommunication.
The judge set bail at RM8,000 with one surety, and ordered Al-Fierus to report to the nearest police station every fortnight.
She then fixed Dec 2 for next mention.
