style="text-transform: uppercase;">Kota Kinabalu: A 69-year-old man was charged in the Sessions Court on Friday with raping a 12-year-old girl and inciting her to an act of gross indecency.Mohd Safar Zinin pleaded not guilty before Judge Ainul Sharin Mohamad to both charges against him.

On the first count, Mohd Safar is accused of raping the minor at 4am towards the end of July 2014 inside a toilet in Likas, here.

The offence under Section 376(2)(e) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between five years and 30 years, and whipping, on conviction.

On the second count, he allegedly incited the same minor to an act of gross indecency at 8am on Feb 24, 2015 at the same place.

For the offence, he was charged under Section 377E of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to five years, and whipping, on conviction.

Ainul fixed Oct 27-38 for hearing and released Mohd Safar on bail of RM8,000 in a local surety.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Akmazatul Mohamed Nawi objected to bail on the grounds that Mohd Safar might tamper with the alleged victim and other prosecution witnesses.

However, counsel Hamid Ismail who defended Mohd Safar asked for his client to be released on bail pending the disposal of his case.