BUTTERWORTH: A senior citizen was charged at two Sessions Courts here today with 10 counts of rape and seven counts of sexual assault against two sisters. He had allegedly been abusing them since 2014 when they were still young.
The 74-year-old man who was clad in a sarung and light-green top, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to him by the court interpreters before judges Noor Aini Yusof and Norhayati Mohamad Yunus.
At Noor Aini's court, the accused claimed trial to three counts of rape and sexual assault against the younger sibling at a house in a village, here, between Jan 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2020.
The incident allegedly took place when the girl was 7 years old.
At Norhayati's court, he claimed trial to seven counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault against the older sibling at the same house between Jan 1, 2014 and early March last year.
The incident allegedly happened when the girl was five years old.
The rape charges, framed under Section 376 (1)(e) of the Penal Code, carry a maximum of 20 years' jail and whipping upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the sexual assault charges, framed under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, carry a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
At Noor Aini's court, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Muhamad Syeqal Che Murat said bail should not be offered for all charges.
The accused, who was unrepresented, said he was unsure if there was anyone to bail him out.
Noor Aini rejected bail and set July 29 for mention for submission of documents and for the accused to appoint a lawyer.
At Norhayati's court, DPP Aisyah Al-Humayrah Kamarul Zaman said bail should not be offered for all charges.
"This is because at least 10 more children are victims of the accused.
"If the accused is granted bail, there is a possibility that he may harass the victims. This may result in the victims refusing to come forward to give their statements to the police. As such, I appeal that no bail is granted."
The accused appealed for bail to be granted.
"My wife is unwell," he said.
Aisyah also told the court that the accused and the victims were not related but were staying nearby in the same village.
Norhayati denied bail.
"There is a possibility that the accused may harass the victim," she said.
Norhayati set July 29 for mention pending a medical report.