TAWAU: A kereta sapu (illegal taxi) driver in Semporna was charged in the Sessions Court here on Monday for showing his private part to a female student, 14, last year.
Abdul Bustan Mohd Salleh, 59, pleaded not guilty before Judge Rosli Ahmad.
The man is accused of committing the act against the victim whom he has known since she was seven years old, near the Chinese Cemetery, Kg Bukit Lalang, Semporna, at 10.40 am on Nov 23, 2022. The court set Nov 28 for re-mention of the case.
The incident occurred when the victim was on her way to school in a Proton Saga driven by the accused. Abdul Bustan was self-employed and earned wages by sending students to school.
The victim knew the accused because she had been sending her since primary school.
She was sitting in the front passenger seat when the accused allegedly exposed himself and forced the victim to look at it.
Following the incident, the victim did not dare go home in the car driven by the accused despite seeing him waiting outside after school.
Instead, the victim returned home by bus and told her mother, 41, about the incident at 6.15pm the same day.
The accused is charged under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) which carries a fine or imprisonment of not more than 10 years or both, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Syahnidzam Ahmad who appeared for the prosecution did not offer any bail for the accused.
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