IPOH, Oct 7 — A 46-year-old electrician was charged in the Sessions Court here today with sexually assaulting his 11-year-old niece in August.
The man pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason.
The father of two is accused of committing the offence at a house in Bota Kanan, Perak Tengah District, at about 8am on Aug 31.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), read together with Section 16 of the same Act, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin prosecuted the case, while the accused was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer Muhammad Farhan Ahmad Fadzil.
Earlier, Nor Arfahanim proposed bail of RM20,000, with the additional condition that the accused must not approach or disturb the victim while the case is ongoing.
Muhammad Farhan requested a lower bail, saying his client is the sole breadwinner, earning RM1,800 a month, and needs to support his wife and two children, aged 13 and 10. He also told the court that the victim no longer resides with the accused and is now living with her biological mother.
Judge Jean Sharmila then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety. She also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month until the case concludes.
The court set Nov 11 for mention.
