A factory worker and father of one pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here on Monday to a charge of using criminal force with the intention of outraging a woman’s modesty last week.
Muhammad Zamri Abdullah, 24, entered the plea after the charge was read before Magistrate Rais Imran Hamid.
According to the charge, Zamri allegedly used criminal force against a 22-year-old woman with the intention of outraging her modesty at a food and beverage distribution factory in Batu Jong at about 1.40pm on August 3.
The charge was brought under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum 10-year jail term, a fine, whipping, or any two of the punishments upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Hazim Aqiffullah Mohd Amran handled the prosecution, while Zamri was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Norfaraliana Othman.
During the proceedings, the prosecution proposed bail of RM7,000 with one surety.
However, Norfaraliana appealed for a lower amount, citing Zamri’s monthly income of RM1,700 from his factory job and his responsibility to support his young child.
The court subsequently granted bail at RM5,000, with conditions that Zamri must not approach the alleged victim or any prosecution witnesses.
The case has been fixed for August 11 for the submission of facts and sentencing.
