Kota Kinabalu: A 30-year-old army personnel was charged in the Sessions Court here Friday with raping a woman two months ago.
Muhammad Farid Ishak pleaded not guilty before Judge Elsie Primus to committing the crime against a 26-year-old woman on May 31 at 1am, in a toilet of a bar at Kepayan Point, Penampang.
The charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 20 years and liability to a whipping, on conviction.
The court set Sept 5 for pre-trial case management.
The accused, who was represented by counsel Adam D B Aludah, was offered bail at RM10,000 with RM5,000 deposited in two sureties.
The court also ordered the accused’s passport to be impounded by the court.
Meanwhile, a storekeeper was fined RM1,700 or two months jail by the Magistrate’s Court for having gambling paraphernalia.
Alvin Kibin, 32, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles to having a piece of illegal lottery receipt on July 10 at 2.05pm at a coffee shop in Putatan town.
The charge under Section 9(1) of the same Act provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to six months jail or both, on conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Muhammad Al-Hakim Abdul Razak informed the court that Alvin, who was arrested during a police raid, confessed to be involved in the said gambling activity.
Duty counsel Carmen Khoo, representing Alvin, requested for a lower fine as he was remorseful and taking care of his sick parents.
