Kota Kinabalu: A 36-year-old labourer was charged with committing physical sexual harassment against his niece.
The man pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan, to the charge against him on Tuesday.
He is accused of committing the offence against the 10-year and 11-month-old girl by fondling her breasts in the morning on Dec 31, 2022 at a house in Jalan Novunsu in Penampang.
The offence under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
The court set May 19 for pre-trial case management and no bail was offered to the man pending the disposal of his case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Najiha Farhana Che Awang appeared for the prosecution while the man was not represented.
In another case, a man was sentenced to five years and ordered to get two strokes of the cane for repeatedly taking syabu.
Roger Lau Keh Leong admitted to the charge against him when his case was brought up for case management.
He was found taking the drug on July 29, 2022 after his urine was tested positive for drug at the Papar Police Station and he has two previous conviction records for taking the drug.
The court ordered Lau to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest.
After completing his jail sentence, Lau was ordered placed under police supervision for three years.
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