A DAP assemblyman’s former aide claimed trial to molesting a 21-year-old part-time waitress at the George Town magistrate’s court today.

L. Prem Anand, a 50-year-old party member, allegedly committed the offence at the car park of an entertainment outlet in Lebuh Pantai about 11.30pm on July 6.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence under Section 354 of the Penal Code for assault or use of criminal force against a person with the intent to outrage their modesty.

He faces a maximum jail term of 10 years, a fine, whipping, or any two of the three, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Izzah Shaharuddin requested that the court fix bail at RM10,000 and compel the accused to report himself to a police station weekly.

She also asked the court to restrict him from contacting the alleged victim, who is a private college student.

Prem’s lawyer E. Gnasegaran, argued that the bail amount was too high, and asked for it to be reduced to RM5,000 and the conditions done away with.

He said his client had been cooperative with police and had not contacted the victim.

Magistrate Catherine Nicholas set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and fixed August 23 for mention.

Gnasegaran was assisted by S. Rethinakumar and Audrey Wee.

Lawyer Baljit Singh held a watching brief for the victim.

The case has attracted attention due to Prem’s connection to DAP. He is also a former city councillor.

At the time of the incident, he was chairman of the Paya Terubong village security and development committee.

In a press conference on Friday, the victim said she was able to identify the accused as he had left his business card at the entertainment outlet.

She said after she filed a report against the accused a day after the incident, he tried to pay her off through a third party, who contacted her at her workplace, to resolve the matter. – July 18, 2017.