Kota Kinabalu: A 38-year-old man charged with two counts of committing physical sexual harassment against his 14-year-old stepdaughter will go trial on Aug 29-30.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus set the date for the man when his case was brought up for mention to serve all the documents pertaining to the case.
The court also fixed May 15 for re-mention of the case so as to monitor whether the man had managed to engage a counsel to represent him during the trial.
On the first count, the man is accused of committing the offence by fondling the girl’s breasts at 5pm on Dec 18, 2021 at the kitchen of a house in a village in Kota Belud.
The offence under Section 14 (a) of Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 carries a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, on conviction.
Due to the relationship between the man and the alleged victim, he will face the additional punishment under Section 16(1) of the same Act which carries a jail term of up to five years, and whipping at least two strokes, on conviction.
The court granted bail of RM15,000 with RM5,000 deposited in two local sureties and the bail sum consolidated.
The man was prohibited to enter the village where the alleged incident occured and if he failed to do so, he will pay full bail amount.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman appeared for the prosecution.
Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man was jailed 12 months for trespassing into a house.
Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie handed the sentence to Muhamad Jamil who pleaded guilty.
Muhamad had trespassed into the house belonging to Ningsin Mohd Yunus by hiding inside at 5am on Feb 2 at the Seraya Apartment in Putera Jaya, Telipok.
The court ordered Muhamad to serve the jail from the date of his arrest and after completing the jail sentence, he was ordered referred to the Immigration Department.
Inspector Suzie Kupit prosecuted.
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