PUTRAJAYA: The defence for a man facing seven counts of physical sexual assault on five male teenagers will decide whether to send representation in seeking the charges to be dropped.
Counsel Nasrul Hadi Mat Saad, who is representing the 44-year-old accused, a vocational college operations assistant, said he will discuss the matter with his client.
"During today's proceeding, the prosecution handed over the case documents to us. We will study it and we will get further instructions from my client.
"If there is a decision to send representation, it needs to be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers three weeks before case management set for Feb 16," he said after proceedings before Sessions Court Judge Datin M. Kunasundary.
Representation is usually carried out to apply for a retraction or to lower or lessen the charge brought against an accused.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Faraheen Yahya said at the next proceeding, the prosecution will ascertain the number of witnesses who will be called to testify and the trial dates.
On Oct 13, the accused was charged with physical sexual assault on five teenage male students aged between 16 and 17.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offence Against Children Act 2017 which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping.
He was alleged to have committed the offences between February 2022 and September 2023 at the institution in Selangor by touching the private parts of the boys for sexual purposes.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.