SHAH ALAM: Tears flowed freely as a newlywed woman watched her husband stand accused of raping, committing unnatural sex on and robbing a university student at knifepoint last week.
The young woman, who was accompanied by her relatives, was seen covering her face as her husband initially pleaded guilty to all three charges.
However, the accused, Amirul Faizal Amiruddin, 27, changed his plea to not guilty after a 20-minute stand-down.
On the first count, Amirul was accused of raping a 22-year-old woman with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt.
He was charged under Section 376(2)(b) of the Penal Code, which makes him liable to a jail term between 10 and 30 years and whipping upon conviction.
On the second count, Amirul was charged with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature on the same woman.
He was charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which carries an imprisonment for up to 20 years and whipping, if found guilty.
On the third count, Amirul was accused of robbing the woman of her mobile phone and RM100 while wielding a parang.
The offence under Section 392 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment for up to 14 years, a fine and whipping, if convicted.
The offences were allegedly committed underneath a tree behind an apartment here between 8.30pm and 10pm on Nov 1.
Judge Adli Abd Ghalib did not grant bail to Amirul on grounds that the case is an issue of public interest that went viral on social media.
The judge fixed Dec 4 for mention and for the accused to appoint a lawyer.
It was reported last week that a 22-year-old university student was raped and robbed by a man who pretended to ask for directions in Section 7 here.
The 8.30pm incident happened when the victim was walking towards a bus stop after shopping at a pasar malam.
The victim was pulled into the suspect's car after the suspect brandished a parang and pointed it at her.
The suspect then drove towards an industrial area near an apartment before raping her at a secluded spot.