Suspected paedophile facing 360 years’ jail

KUALA TERENGGANU: A young man charged with 16 counts of sexual offences against children could be sentenced up to 360 years in prison and no fewer than 24 lashes if he is found guilty of his crimes.

Mohd Amir Mohd Layi, 20, was charged with 12 counts of sexually assaulting children and four counts of making or producing pornography under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mohd Amir arrived at the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court yesterday wearing orange prison overalls and appeared calm as the charges were read to him in three different courtrooms.

The air-conditioning technician is believed to have committed the crimes from as early as January last year.

Judges Azman Mustapha, Mohamad Haldar Abdul Aziz and Rofiah Mohamad presided while DPPs Nik Nur Adila Mat Zaidan and Rohaiza Abdul Rahman prosecuted.

Mohd Amir was represented by Nik Radhia Nik Ya.

The case has been set for mention on May 22.

No bail was offered and the defendant will be placed at the Pengkalan Chepa prison pending trial.

Mohd Amir was arrested on March 27 after one of his alleged victims, an eight-year-old girl, ran crying to her teacher after an encounter with the accused.