Volunteer: I didn’t sodomise them
Accused denies sexually abusing 10 religious school students
KUANTAN: A volunteer at a religious school has been accused of sodomising, groping and forcing 10 students to perform oral sex on him.
He pleaded not guilty to 29 counts of carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent, under Section 377C of the Penal Code.
The 41-year-old also claimed trial to another nine counts, under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, for allegedly committing physical sexual assault on a child. If convicted, he could face a jail term of 20 years and caning.
The offences were allegedly committed at a house here and the tahfiz, between July last year and February.
The 10 alleged victims were between the ages of 12 and 17.
Deputy public prosecutor Farahah Mohd Nazari did not offer bail, citing the accused’s unnatural behaviour and that he might influence, threaten or intimidate the victims.
But lawyer Datuk Syed Azimal Amir Syed Abu Bakar said this was akin to punishing his client even before he was proven guilty.
He said it was also pressuring the accused to plead guilty.
Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali granted bail at RM10,000 per charge with one surety.
She also ordered the accused not to contact any of the alleged victims and fixed April 23 for mention.