ALOR GAJAH: A 32-year-old temple priest claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of committing physical sexual abuse against a teenage boy.
The accused, P. Deva, entered the plea before Judge Aiza Khairuddin on Thursday (August 7).
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed oral sex abuse on a 13-year-old boy.
The act was allegedly committed in a bedroom of a house in Taman Melaka Perdana, here, between 3pm and 4pm on July 4.
If convicted, the accused may face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhamad Ali Hussain proposed bail at RM30,000 with additional conditions, that the accused report to the police station monthly, surrender his passport to the court and refrain from contacting any prosecution witnesses until the case is concluded.
The accused’s lawyer, Datuk P. Aravindhakshan, appealed for a lower bail amount, stating that the accused comes from a poor family with no fixed income and relies solely on earnings from odd jobs.
The court later set the bail at RM15,000 with the additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
The next mention date is fixed on Sept 8.
