Kota Kinabalu: A 59-year-old man pleaded not guilty to raping his underaged neighbour.
The man made the plea before Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus when his case was brought up for mention.
The man’s case was mentioned on Tuesday for verification of the alleged victim’s age which was actually 13-years-old and not 16.
The man was accused of raping the girl who did not have identification document on April 1 this year between 9am and 3pm at a house in Penampang.
The offence, under Section 376(2)(d) of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
The court fixed Aug 9 for pre-trial case management and the bail which was offered to the man in previous proceedings had been extended pending the date.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman appeared for the prosecution while counsel Mohd Ari Nadzrah Abd Rahman defended the man.
