Soldier denies raping teenage daughter
KOTA KINABALU: A soldier claimed trial yesterday to raping his 13-year-old daughter at a house in Lokawi, Papar.
The 38-year-old man, who appeared before Sessions Court judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim denied the charge after it was read to him.
He was alleged to have raped the girl at 9 am on April 7.
The offence was framed under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 30 years, and not less than 10 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Dinesh Raja objected to bail as the man might tamper with the prosecution witnesses, especially the alleged victim.
Meanwhile, counsel Dato’ Sri Rakhbir Singh, who represented the accused, told the court that there was no possibility for his client to tamper with the prosecution witnesses as the man’s wife and children are currently staying at his mother-in-law’s house while the alleged victim has been placed at the Welfare Department for protection for three years.
He also said that his client is still reporting for duty to the armed forces.
The court set October 22 to 24 for trial and released the accused on RM10,000 bail in two local sureties, pending disposal of the case.
Apart from that, he was also ordered to report to the nearest police station every Friday and to surrender his passport to the court.
Another man who was also brought to the same court was charged with raping a 15-yearold girl at a house in a village in Inanam, at 10 pm on May 19.
Nico Joe Julius, 20, who was brought before the judge, denied the charge, which was framed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code.
The indictment carries a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, upon conviction.
Dinesh objected to the accused’s bail application while Nico, who was represented by counsel Farazwin Haxdy, applied for bail on the grounds that he was waiting to further his tertiary studies.
Farazwin said her client had financial difficulty and is still under the care of his mother while his father had already passed away.
She added that Nico had no previous criminal record or flight risk and the victim, who is not related to him, was not staying nearby his house.
The court fixed October 25 and 26 for trial and released the accused on RM5,000 bail with two local sureties, pending disposal of the case.