Man charged with physical sexual assault on teenager in Kelantan

KOTA BARU, May 19 – A mentally challenged man was charged in the Sessions Court here today with committing physical sexual assault on a teenager in March.

Mohamad Hafiz Al-Hilal Maula Murad, 35, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge Nik Habri Muhamad.

He was accused of committing the offense on a 17-year-old teenager at a mosque in Jalan Langgar at 2.30pm on March 15.

Advertising

The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and flogging if convicted.

The court then granted the defendant bail of RM15,000 in one surety bond and set June 23 as the trial date.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Edabayu Subhan led the prosecution while the accused was represented by lawyer Ahmad Farhan Abdul Halim. —Bernama

Advertising