PETALING JAYA: A part-time hotel worker pleaded guilty in the sessions court in George Town, Penang, today to charges of raping and committing unnatural sex with an Australian woman.
S Prasanth, 25, who made the plea before judge Juraidah Abbas, requested time to appoint a lawyer to represent him, Bernama reported.
Prasanth is charged with raping the woman in a car and putting her in fear by pointing a metal scissors at her at a cemetery in Mount Erskine between 5.20am and 6am on June 28.
The charge, under Section 376(2)(b) of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment of up to 30 years and whipping upon conviction.
He is also charged with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent with the woman at the same time and location.
The charge, under Section 377C of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of five to 20 years and whipping.
The prosecution, led by Penang prosecution director Nordin Ismail and deputy public prosecutor Lee Jun Keong, did not offer any bail because of the seriousness of the offence and sensitivity surrounding bilateral relations between Malaysia and Australia.
“We do not want this matter to give a bad impression to foreign tourists who come to Malaysia. We cannot tolerate such offences,” said Nordin.
The court did not allow bail and set July 31 for mention for the submission of documents and appointment of counsel.
