A cleaner pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here on Wednesday to charges of committing physical sexual assault and causing injury to an eight-year-old girl last week.
The accused, Sharil Chik, 58, entered the plea after the charges were read before Magistrate Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin.
According to the charge sheet, he was accused of committing physical sexual assault with sexual intent against the child at a house in Kampung Sri Pantai at about 8.30pm on May 5.
He was charged under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Under Section 26(1) of the same Act, the court may also order the accused to undergo rehabilitation counselling during detention, while Section 27(1) allows the court to place the offender under police supervision for between one and three years.
The law also provides for compensation to be awarded to the child victim for injuries suffered if deemed appropriate by the court.
In a second charge, Sharil was accused of intentionally causing injury to the same child by pinching her cheek at the same location and time.
The offence was framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Nursyafiq Abd Halim prosecuted the case, while the accused was unrepresented.
The court denied bail and fixed June 26 for the appointment of counsel and submission of documents.
