Student denies abducting, sexually assaulting girl

SEREMBAN: A student of an institution of higher learning in Port Dickson was charged in two Sessions Court here yesterday with seven charges in connection with the abduction of a nine-yearold girl from the institution’s staff quarters.

Umar Ariffin, 21, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In the court before Judge G. Ramesh, Umar pleaded not guilty to a charge of abducting the girl from her house at an institution of higher learning in Port Dickson at about 3.30 pm last Aug 14.

He faced an imprisonment for up to seven years and fine under Section 363 of the Penal Code, if found guilty of the offence.

Ramesh set bail at RM5,000 and fixed Sept 25 for mention.

In the court before Judge Noor Hayati Mat, Umar was charged with five counts of committing physical sexual assault on the child at the same time and date at a house in Bandar Springhill, Lukut in Port Dickson.

Two of the charges were made under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, while the other three charges were made under Section 14 (d) of the same law.

He also faced another charge with committing physical sexual assault on the girl between 3 am and 4 am last June 14 near the Department of Mathematics, Science and Computer of an institution of higher learning in Port Dickson.

Umar, represented by lawyers Mohamad Zahid Ahmad and M. Sivam, faced an imprisonment for up to 20 years and whipping for every charge, if found guilty.

Noor Hayati set bail of RM20,000 on all six charges and also ordered the accused to report himself at the Lukut police station every month. Umar was also ordered not to go near or intimidate the victim and her family members.

The court set Sept 25 for mention.

The prosecution in all the cases was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Norsyazwani Ishak.

Meanwhile, Umar was also charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with stealing a motorcycle and possession of stolen items. - Bernama

He pleaded guilty to both charges.

On the charge of stealing a motorcycle, Umar was alleged to have committed the offence at Surau Un-Nur, bandar Springhill, between 7.15 pm and 8 pm last July 29. He was found in possession of the stolen items, which included handphones, at his house in Bandar Springhill at 5.45 pm last Aug 15. Bernama