SEREMBAN: A 36-year-old secondary school male teacher claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature against a 15-year-old female student.
Muhamad Asyraf Ahmad pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Surita Budin.
The accused, who is a teacher at a Rembau school, was charged with committing the offence in a classroom around 1.30pm in April this year.
He was charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of between five and 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
The accused was also charged with committing physical sexual assault against the same victim and another 15-year-old school girl.
He allegedly committed the offence against the same victim in a classroom around 9.30am on May 16 and against the other student around 10.40am on May 5.
Muhamad Asyraf was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 read together with Section 16(1) of the same legislation.
Offenders can be jailed up to 20 years and whipped.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunandi told the court her team was offering the accused bail of RM30,000 for each charge.
However, counsel for the accused P. Bhaerabii pleaded for a lower amount as her client had to provide for his wife, two young children, parents and an older sibling who was sick.
She said the accused also suffers from anxiety attacks and asthma.
She pleaded with the court to set a minimum bail of RM6,000 for each charge.
Judge Surita then set bail at RM20,000 for all three charges with one surety. She also allowed the other conditions asked by the prosecution which include ordering the accused to report at the nearest police station once a month till the case is disposed of, to stay away from the alleged victims and witnesses and to surrender his passport to the court.
She then fixed Sept 29 for case mention.
