Father of five denies raping teenager

KOTA KINABALU: A father of five children claimed trial in the Sessions Court here yesterday for raping a teenage girl.

Rezuan Hamjah, 35, who appeared before judge Elsie Primus, was charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code.

The charge carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.

The accused had allegedly raped the victim aged 14 in a bedroom at an unnumbered house in Papar at 11pm on December 30, 2020.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that both the accused and the victim were workmates and they also residing at a nearby area.

The prosecution also said that the accused knew the victim’s family and there is high possibility that the accused might tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses.

If the court is to grant the accused any bail, the suggested amount was RM50,000 fully deposited with two local sureties, added the prosecution.

In reply, the unrepresented accused prayed to be released on a lower amount of bail and claimed that his sister will be paying his bail.

The accused, who hails from Sandakan, also said he is married and has five kids but his wife and kids are currently in Peninsular, so he informed the court that he could stay at his sister’s house and undertook not to disturb the prosecution’s witnesses.

The court fixed February 25 for pre-trial case management and the accused was denied bail, however the accused could apply for bail during the pre-trial case management.