KOTA KINABALU: A 33-year-old man pleaded not guilty to two counts of committing sexual abuse against two girls.
Awangku Wassli Awangku Damit made the plea before Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz to the charge against him Wednesday.
Advertisement
On the first count, Awangku is accused of committing the offence by fondling the 17-year-old girl’s breasts, kissing her and touching her thigh at a village in Sipitang on August 2017.
On the second count, he allegedly committed the same offence against a 11-year-old girl at the same village.
The offence under Section under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 carries for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
The court fixed Sept 23 for the case management and Nov 18-21 for hearing.
Advertisement
.gif)
Awangku was released on a bail of RM5,000 in two local sureties for each charge and warned not to tamper with the prosecution witnesses.
The court also ordered Awangku to report to the nearest police station once a month and his passport, if any, be impounded by the court until the disposal of his case.
Earlier, counsel Yusry Pungut who represented Awangku, asked for a minimum bail amount as Awangku has a wife and two children, saying that his client is the breadwinner of the family.
Yusry also highlighted that his client is innocent until proven guilty.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Dinesh Raja appeared for the prosecution. – CDB
