A 45-year-old logistics company clerk was charged in the Sessions Court today with physically sexually assaulting his autistic stepdaughter two years ago.
The accused, a father of four from two marriages, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before Judge Madihah Zainol.
According to the charge sheet, he was accused of committing physical sexual assault for sexual purposes against his then nine-year-old stepdaughter, at a house in Kampung Parit Patah, Pontian, at around 12.30pm on June 19, 2023.
The offence falls under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and whipping. Additionally, under Section 16(1), he may face up to five more years in jail and at least two strokes of the cane.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Zuhainie Zull Kafli initially objected to bail, arguing the accused held a position of trust and might interfere with key witnesses, particularly the victim.
However, defense lawyer K Veeranesh requested bail, saying the alleged offence took place two years ago, yet no interference with witnesses had occurred since then. He added that the victim and her mother had moved to Simpang Renggam in August 2023, while the accused continued to work in Pontian earning RM1,700 a month and supporting four children.
When asked about his marital status, the accused replied that he was still married but currently in the process of divorce.
The court later granted bail at RM10,000 with one surety, along with four additional conditions: surrendering his passport, reporting to the nearest police station, not contacting witnesses, and limiting meetings with his children in his wife’s custody to a police station setting.
The case has been fixed for mention on November 6 for document submission.
