GEORGE TOWN – A tahfiz centre preacher pleaded not guilty to sodomising and having sexual intercourse with an underage individual at the sessions court here today.
The 29-year-old man was charged with three counts of sodomy and having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old student.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed the act at a house in Teluk Kumbar between November 20 last year and this month.
He was charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code and Section 14 (b) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017.
All three charges carry a prison sentence of not less than five years and not more than 20 years, and whipping, if convicted.
The court set bail at RM12,000 with one surety and prohibited the accused from approaching the victim.
Judge Norsalha Datuk Hamzah set April 26 for re-mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Nabila Huda Muhammad prosecuted, while lawyer Md Yusuf Md Idris represented the accused. – The Vibes, March 24, 2021