KOTA BARU: A construction worker was charged at the Sessions Court here today with raping and sexually assaulting an underage girl in October and November.
Hasrul Hassan, 24, pleaded not guilty to the charge read by an interpreter before Judge Ahmad Bazli Bahruddin.
In the first charge, he was accused of raping the victim at 4am on Oct 17 at a house in Machang, when she was 12 years and four months old.
The second charge was that he deliberately kissed the neck of the victim at 2am on Nov 19 at the same house.
Both offences carry a penalty of maximum 20 years jail with whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Abu Arsalnaa Zainal Abidin prosecuted while the accused was not represented.
The court did not grant bail. The case will be re-mentioned on Jan 3.