Kota Kinabalu: A 19-year-old Filipino was ordered to enter his defence on a charge of committing physical sexual harassment against his 15-year-old girlfriend.
Sessions Court Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad made the order against the teenager after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, Monday. The court set June 1 and 2 for the teenager’s defence.
The teenager is accused of committing the offence against the girl by touching her private part, kissing her, making a ‘love bite’ and trying to have sex with her.
The offence allegedly took place between 10am and 9pm on April 9, last year at an apartment in Jalan Ketiau, Putatan.
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.
The prosecution called five witnesses during the hearing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Suriyati Jumain appeared for the prosecution while counsel Amli Nohin defended the teenager.
