A 34-year-old man was charged at the Sessions Court here today with sexually abusing his underage stepdaughter last Sunday.
He appeared before Judge Zulkifli Abllah, facing charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), punishable under Section 14 read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act. Section 14 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and caning, while Section 16(1) carries up to five years’ imprisonment and a minimum of two strokes of the cane if convicted.
The accused allegedly committed the offence against his 14-year-old stepdaughter in a room at a house in the Bachok area at 4 a.m. on 31 August. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamarul Hasyime Rosli, while the accused was represented by lawyers Nik Nor Nadri Nik Soh. Bail was denied, and the court set 7 October for the case to be re-mentioned and documents submitted.

