Kota Kinabalu: A 50-year-old man from Melaka, was ordered to enter his defence for sexual harassment of his niece.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus made the order for the man after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie, Friday. The court set March 20 for the man’ defence.
The man is accused of committing the offence against his 14-year-old niece by performing oral sex on her and inserting his finger into the girl’s private part at the store of a house in Manggatal at the end of 2019.
The offence under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
Due to the relationship between the man and the alleged victim, there will be additional punishment under Section 16(2)(c) of the same Act carries a jail term of up to five years, and whipping at least two strokes, on conviction.
The prosecution had called seven witnesses during the hearing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman conducted the prosecution while the man was represented by counsel Sylvester Kuan.
The court extended the bail offered to the man.
