GEORGE TOWN: A fisherman has claimed trial to a charge of attempting to rape a 26-year-old New Zealand female tourist at the Sessions Court here today.
Nor Azizi Abdul Razak, 28, from Sungai Batu in Teluk Kumbar, is alleged to have committed the offence near The Cove Condominium in Tanjung Bunga at 11.45am on Sept 3.
He was charged under Section 376(1)/511 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum 10 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction.
The accused indicated that he understood the charge when it was read out to him.
Earlier, he was escorted by the police to the court while biting his black-and-yellow T-shirt to cover his face.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Azura Zulkiflee requested for his bail to be set at RM20,000 with one surety.
Nor Azizi, however, pleaded for the bail to be lowered.
“I come from a poor family and my mother is now suffering from colon cancer,” he told the court.
Judge Norsalha Hamzah then set bail at RM10,000 with one surety, and advised Nor Azizi to engage a lawyer through the National Legal Aid Foundation.
“You must also report yourself to the nearest police station on the first day of every month until the end of the court proceedings for this case,” she said.
Nor Azizi later thanked the judge and was escorted back to the lock-up while waiting to post bail.
The court fixed Oct 13 for next mention pending medical reports.