Kota Kinabalu: A 57-year-old self-employed man was charged in the Sessions Court, here, Wednesday with sexual assault of his 10-year-old daughter.
The man pleaded not guilty before Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim to inserting his finger into the minor’s private parts at 2pm in March this year at a house in Ranau.
The accused was charged under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 read with Section 16(1) of the same Act because he was in a relationship of trust with the child as her father.
Section 14(a) of the Act carries a jail term of up to 20 years and liability of a fine on conviction, while Section 16(1) of the same Act, provides for a jail term of up to five years and whipping of not less than two strokes of the cane, if convicted.
The court set June 27 for mention and ordered the accused, who was not represented, to be further remanded.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate’s Court here fined two men a total of RM2,500 for engaging in gambling sessions.
Almujib Osman, 31, and Anthony Fun, 24, pleaded guilty separately before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles to committing the offence under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming House Act.
Almujib was fined RM1,500 or two months jail for buying two illegal lottery tickets at 5.45pm on May 1 at Manggatal town.
Fun was fined RM1,000 or two months jail for having two lottery slips without licence at 4.20pm on Oct 14, 2021 at Inanam town.
The charge framed against them provides a jail term of up to six months, or fine of up to RM3,000, or both, on conviction.
In another case, a man was charged with arson.
Abdullah Laurel was accused of committing mischief by burning the wall of a house belonging to Rose Liyana at 8.30pm on May 17 at Kg Rakyat Baru, Manggatal.
The offence under Section 426 of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of up to five years or fine or both on conviction.
Abdullah claimed trial to the charge.
Lovely set July 4 for case management and released Abdullah on a bail of RM1,000 in two sureties.
Inspector Kelvan Elson Maik prosecuted.
