A 25-year-old construction worker pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to committing non-physical sexual assault against a 12-year-old girl inside a condominium lift.
KUALA LUMPUR: A construction worker was charged in the Sessions Court here today with committing non-physical sexual assault against a 12-year-old girl inside the lift of a condominium in April.
Muhammad Aniq Mohd Jafri, 25, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Judge Suhaila Haron.
According to the charge, Muhammad Aniq allegedly committed the act against the girl who was 12 years and four months old at the time for sexual purposes inside the lift at a condominium in Taman Danau Desa, between 6.30 pm and 6.50 pm on April 1.
The charge was brought under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor V. Suloshani proposed bail at RM10,000 with one surety, along with additional conditions requiring the accused to surrender his passport to the court and report to a police station near his residence once a month.
The prosecution also requested that the accused be prohibited from disturbing the victim or any prosecution witnesses until the conclusion of the case.
Muhammad Aniq, who was unrepresented by counsel, appealed for the bail amount to be reduced, citing his occupation as a construction worker.
The court granted bail at RM9,000 with one surety, subject to the additional conditions requested by the prosecution and set November 30 for the mention of the case, to allow for the appointment of legal counsel.
