A 40-YEAR-OLD mechanic has been charged in the Sessions Court here with allegedly sodomising his 11-year-old stepchild, who has Down syndrome, last week.
The accused, who appeared in court without legal representation, pleaded not guilty when the charge under Section 377B of the Penal Code was read before Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason.
The statute prescribes a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and may also include corporal punishment.
According to the charge, the act was committed deliberately at a residence in Perak Tengah at approximately 7 p.m. on 2 December.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Arfahanim Azureen Arfanuddin, who did not offer bail due to the young age of the victim. However, she did propose bail of RM20,000 with a guarantor who is not a family member, considering the victim is the accused’s stepchild.
During the bail mitigation, the accused requested a minimal bail amount, citing his monthly income of RM1,800 as a mechanic and his wife’s RM500 monthly earnings from selling second-hand clothing. He added that he has two children to support, including the alleged victim.
The accused also informed the court that no family members were present at the proceedings.
Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason granted bail of RM8,000 with one guarantor and imposed two additional conditions: the accused must report to the police at the start of every month and must not interfere with the victim or witnesses until the trial concludes.
The court scheduled the next case mention for 29 January for the submission of documents. - December 11, 2025
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