Kota Kinabalu: A 51-year-old teacher was charged with raping his stepdaughter.
However, no plea was taken from the man after the charge was read to him before Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus, Friday, pending chemist and medical reports.
The man is accused of raping the 17-year-old girl at 2pm on Feb 15 this year at a house in Kota Marudu.
The offence under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of between eight and 30 years, and whipping of at least 10 strokes of the cane, on conviction.
The court released the man on a bail of RM15,000 in two local sureties and to report to nearest police station in Kota Marudu twice a month.
The man was warned not to tamper with the prosecution witnesses, especially the alleged victim.
He was also prohibited to enter the village where the girl resides.
If he failed to adhere to any of the condition, the bail will be revoked.
The court fixed April 27 for mention.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Tham Pou Jin offered no bail to the man saying that he might tamper with the prosecution witnesses as the house where the alleged victim stays is not far from the man’s house.
However, the man, who was not represented, asked for bail to be granted saying that he is still working.
He added that would not tamper with the alleged victim as they did not stay together.
He informed the court that he was suffering from gout and psoriasis.
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