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KOTA KINABALU: A 45-year-old self-employed man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two charges of raping his 16-year-old niece and committing physical sexual harassment against her.

He made the plea before Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan after the charges were read to him, with the alleged offences taking place in a room of a house in Tuaran between 5.30am and 7.10am on Feb 26 this year.

The man faces a rape charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping, and a separate charge under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for sexual abuse, which provides the same penalties upon conviction.

The court denied bail, as requested by the prosecution due to the victim’s relationship to the accused, and ordered his further remand while setting the case for mention on Apr 28.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Fazriel Fardiansyah appeared for the prosecution, while the accused, who told the court he has two wives and does not live with the victim, was unrepresented and advised to engage a lawyer.