KAJANG: A 33-year-old lawyer claimed trial at the magistrate’s court here today to two charges of molesting two university students last week.
Michael Anthony pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to him before Magistrate Fadzilatul Isma Ahmad Refngah.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for assault or use of criminal force on a person with intent to outrage modesty, and Section 511 of the Penal Code for attempting to commit the same offence.
For the first charge, he was accused of touching the buttocks of Chua Year Jing, 22, at C5-G-4 Cypress Condo, Bandar Sungai Long in Hulu Langat on Nov 1 about 3.30pm.
Anthony was also charged with attempting to commit the same offence on Ong Hui Yee at the same location.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Natasha Chin Ke Jy had asked for RM12,000 bail with one surety for both charges.
However, in pleading for leniency, Anthony’s lawyer Datuk Jerald Gomez said the amount was excessive as the accused has a clean record.
“My client has never been arrested or charged before for any offence. He is a happily-married man with a clean record.
“There is no allegation of violence used or injury sustained by the victim and she was unaware that she was being touched by the accused until she turned around and saw him,” he said.
He said the complainants had resorted to ‘trial by media’ by posting video clips, homemade videos, and giving interviews to the media before the police had completed their investigation.
“The complainant has sensationalised the case through social media. The accused has not even had a trial or been proven guilty on the evidence,” he said.
Gomez also requested the court to order the complainants not to publish any evidence and materials relating to the case on social media.
Fadzilatul Ismal set bail for the two charges at RM4,000 and RM3,800 in one surety, respectively.
The court fixed Dec 9 for mention.