AN unemployed 30-year-old man pled not guilty to 15 counts of sexual offences against his stepdaughters today. 

He was charged separately in two different courts – the Selayang Sessions Court and Magistrates’ Court.

In the first court before judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin, he was charged with three counts of committing unnatural sex and four counts of committing physical sexual assault against his two stepdaughters, now aged 19 and 20, at their house in Sri Gombak between August 29, 2015 and August 25, 2020.

If found guilty of committing unnatural sex under Section 377C of the Penal Code, he may face an imprisonment term of up to 20 years and whipping.

Meanwhile, the charges for physical assault were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
 
In the Magistrates’ court before Nur Hafizah Rajuni, the man was charged with eight counts of using criminal force against his stepdaughters with intent to outrage their modesty, under Section 354 of the Penal Code.

The offence was committed at the same location between August 27, 2015 and March 15, 2017.

He faces a maximum imprisonment of 10 years, or with fine, or whipping, or any two of the punishments, if found guilty of the offence.

The Sessions Court allowed bail of RM40,000 with one surety, while the Magistrates’ Court set bail at RM16,500 for all charges.

The man was also ordered by both courts to report himself at the police station on the first day of every month pending disposal of the cases and was restrained from staying in the same premises occupied by the victims.

Both courts set October 20 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutors Nur Intan Syakieraah Zakaria and Wan Nur Iman Wan Ahmad Afzal prosecuted the cases, while Mohammed Fudhail Ahmad Zulaini represented the accused. – Bernama, September 10, 2021.