BUTTERWORTH: A lorry driver was charged at the Sessions Court here today with two counts of raping his stepdaughter in 2018 and 2019.
The 29-year-old claimed trial when the charges were read to him before Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah.
On the first count, he is alleged to have raped his stepdaughter, who was 10 years old at the time, in a house at Kampung Bagan Buaya, Changkat, Nibong Tebal about 11pm in December 2018.
On the subsequent count, he is alleged to have raped his stepdaughter, who was 11 years old at the time at the same place in 2019.
He was charged under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code which carries between eight years and 30 years imprisonment and no less than 10 strokes of the rotan upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Amira Ruzaini Wan Abdul Razak prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.
During proceedings, Wan Amira told the court that no bail was offered as it is believed the accused was still staying with the victim, now 15 years old.
However, the accused pleaded for bail to be given.
"I have to look after my family, including my three children, aged five months old to three years old," he said.
Zulhazmi allowed bail at RM20,000 with one surety for both charges.
"Also, the accused is refrained from going near or disturbing the victim and prosecution witnesses until the end of the case.
"He also needs to stay separately from the victim," he said.
The case is fixed for mention on Nov 21.