Kota Kinabalu: A silat teacher and a 30-year-old man were charged separately with committing physical sexual harassment against a student and his stepdaughter.
Both accused pleaded not guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus, after the charge against them was read to them respectively, Wednesday.
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The 37-year-old Silat teacher is accused of committing the offence against a 15-year-old girl by hugging and fondling her breasts at 11.15pm on Aug 26, 2023 at a hostel in Putatan.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old man allegedly committed similar offence against his stepdaughter by sucking her breasts in January 2022 an apartment in Inanam.
The duo were charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
There is additional punishment for the silat teacher, under Section 16(1) of the same Act provides for a jail term of up to five years, and whipping at least two strokes, on conviction.
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The court set July 3 this year for mention for the silat teacher’s case and released him on bail of RM15,000 with RM6,000 deposited in two local sureties.
For the stepfather, his case would be mentioned on July 23 and the court offered him bail of RM15,000 in two local sureties.
Both accused were ordered to report to the nearest police station twice a month until the disposal of their cases.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Suriyati Jumain and DPP Muhmmad Azizi Hamil appeared for the prosecution while counsel Mohamad Syazwan Shah Mohamad Ali defended the teacher and counsel Eviana Ansari for the stepfather.
