Kota Kinabalu: A tyre factory worker was charged in the Sessions Court here Monday with two counts of committing physical sexual offences against an underage girl in Tuaran.
The 19-year-old man pleaded not guilty before Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan to committing the offences, each framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017.
On the first count, the accused allegedly kissed and fondled the breasts of the 14-year-old girl (now 16) in the mid of June 2023, between noon and 1pm, in an entertainment outlet in Tuaran town.
On the second charge, the accused was accused of kissing the same girl in February 2024, between 7pm and 8pm, in an entertainment outlet, also in Tuaran town.
Each charge carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, on conviction.
The prosecution, in applying for a new mention date, objected to bail on the grounds that the charge was non-bailable, involved a serious offence, and there was a risk the accused might abscond or tamper with prosecution witnesses, particularly the alleged victim.
The prosecution further submitted that if bail were granted, it proposed that bail be set at RM10,000 for each charge, with the following conditions: the accused would report to the police every two weeks, surrender his passport to the court, and refrain from contacting any of the prosecution’s witnesses.
The accused, who was not represented, requested to be released on bail, saying among others, that he is currently working as a tyre factory worker.
Amir fixed July 30 for pre-trial case management and released the accused on a bail of RM4,000 in two sureties each.
The court also imposed a condition to the bail requiring the accused to report to the Tuaran Police Station on the first day of every month until the disposal of the case.
His passport was to be surrendered to the court, and he was prohibited from contacting or interfering with the prosecution’s witnesses, particularly the alleged victim.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Yousof Tahir Mahmood prosecuted.
