Kota Kinabalu: A 48-year-old man was charged with allowing a premises under his control to be a brothel.
However, no plea was recorded from Darel Woo Kok Phin after the charge was read before Court Registrar Rita Kunsoi, Thursday.
Woo is accused of permitting the Bao Zu Lin Reflexology premises, which is under his care, to be used for the purpose of exploitation a woman for prostitution.
The offence allegedly took place at 10pm on June 19 this year in Menara MAA Lorong Api-Api Phase, here.
He was charged under Section 373(1)(a) of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 15 years, and fine, on conviction.
The court set July 3 this year for mention to record Woo’s plea and he was ordered remanded further pending the date.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Bryan Francis appeared for the prosecution while Woo was not represented.
In a related case, a Vietnamese woman pleaded guilty to soliciting for purpose of prostitution at the premises under Woo’s control.
Thi Hong Dang, 30, made the plea after the charge was read in Vietnam language, before Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali, via Zoom on Thursday.
However, Thi’s sentencing was deferred to July 1 and no bail was offered to her pending the date.
This is accused of committing the offence at the same place and time as Woo.
The offence, under Section 372B of the Penal Code, provides for a jail term of up to a year, or fine, or both, on conviction.
DPP Akaash Singh prosecuted the case while Thi was not represented.
