KUALA KANGSAR: A 52-year-old man was charged at the Sessions Court here today with three counts of raping and committing physical sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl, in March this year.
The accused, Mohamad Kasim Abdul Wahab, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before Judge Rohaida Ishak.
According to the charge sheet, the man was accused of raping the girl in Sungai Kenering, Kampung Belum Baru Lawin, Gerik at 1pm on March 27.
For this offence, he was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
Kassim, who is an odd-job worker was also charged with two counts of physical sexual assault against the victim at the same time, date and location.
For this offence, he was charged under Section 14 (a) and Section 14 (b) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) which carries up to 20 year's jail and whipping.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Firdaus Nor Azlan did not offer bail as Kassim is the victim's neighbour.
However, he said if the court allows the accused to be released on bail, he requested a maximum bail with two sureties and additional conditions where the man is not allowed to disturb the victim.
Meanwhile, Amirul Fairuzzeen Jamaluddin who represented Kasim asked for the accused to be released on bail because the victim is now under the care of the Negri Sembilan Social Welfare Department.
Amirul requested a RM10,000 bail with two sureties for all three charges because his client only earns RM800 per month and needs to support his 77-year-old mother who is now sick.
The court set bail at RM10,000 with two sureties for all charges.
The court also imposed additional conditions where the accused and his family members are prohibited from approaching and disturbing the victim.
The court set Dec 18 for mention.