A 29-year-old technician pleaded not guilty in the Johor Baru Sessions Court today to seven charges, including sexually assaulting three young girls aged between five and seven last year.
Muhammad Imran Abdullah entered his plea before Sessions Court judge Nor Azati Jaafar after all charges were read to him.
According to the first and second charges, the accused allegedly committed sexual assault against the same five-year-old victim at about 11am on April 5 last year in Pasir Gudang.
The third charge alleges he produced child sexual abuse material by recording a video of the same child with her clothing lifted, exposing parts of her body.
For the fourth charge, Muhammad Imran is accused of committing physical sexual assault against a six-year-old girl at about 10.30am on the same day and at the same location.
The fifth charge alleges he produced child sexual abuse material involving the same six-year-old victim under similar circumstances.
The sixth charge involves the alleged physical sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl at about 10.59am at the same location.
The seventh charge alleges the accused produced child sexual abuse material involving the same victim by recording a video of the child with her clothing lifted, exposing parts of her body.
All charges were framed under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a minimum of six strokes of whipping upon conviction.
He also faces charges under Sections 14(a) and 14(b) of the same Act, which provide for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Farah Wahida Shahudin appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented. The court was informed that a psychiatric assessment from Hospital Permai confirmed the accused was fit to stand trial.
The prosecution also disclosed that Muhammad Imran had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges on Aug 29 at the same court.
Judge Nor Azati fixed Feb 27 next year for case mention and submission of documents.
The accused applied for bail, stating he needed to obtain information from his employer as he claimed to be at work on the date of the alleged offences. However, no bail was offered, and the court advised him to appoint legal counsel.
