MALE STUDENT PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO PHYSICAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST FEMALE CLASSMATE

KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- A male student pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court here today to a charge of committing physical sexual assault against a female classmate at a secondary school in Sabak Bernam two weeks ago.

The 15-year-old Form Three student made the plea before Magistrate Mohamad Ibrahim Muhammad Ghulam in closed proceedings.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Azamuddin Razak, when met by reporters after the proceedings ended, said the teenager was charged with committing physical sexual assault against his female classmate, also 15, for sexual purposes in a classroom at the school in the Sabak Bernam district around 9.30 am on Oct 13.

bootstrap slideshow

The charge was filed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a penalty of a fine, compensation, or costs; a community service order; or being sent to an approved school such as Henry Gurney School, upon conviction.

Additionally, the court may impose a custodial sentence for a specific period, subject to Section 96(2) of the Child Act 2001.

Muhammad Azamuddin suggested bail of RM6,000 taking into account the seriousness of cases involving school students recently.

Counsel Aina Suraya Ahmad Nor Hisham, representing the accused, requested a reduction in bail because her client needed further treatment at the hospital due to a road accident.

The court then allowed bail of RM2,000 with one surety and set Dec 1 for the mention of the case.

On Oct 16, Sabak Bernam District Police Chief Supt Md Yusoff Ahmad was reported to have said that a male teenager was arrested after being suspected of committing sexual harassment against a female teenager at a school in the district on Oct 13.

He said that in the incident around 9.30 am, the suspect allegedly committed the act against the victim during recess before being arrested on the same day for further investigation.

-- BERNAMA