Man suspected of raping friend’s daughter remanded

MIRI: The Magistrates’ Court here yesterday remanded for five days a man suspected of raping his friend’s daughter to facilitate the police investigation.

Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa allowed the remand application by investigating officer Insp Nur Hasanah Jamil.

In her application, Nur Hasanah said the 37-year- old suspect was arrested around 2.35pm on July 25 in front of his house in Desa Pujut 2 here following a police report made by the victim’s mother at the Lutong police station on July 12.

In her report, the mother claimed her 13-year- old daughter had been staying with the man, who was a close friend of her husband.

The complainant, who did not have her own transport, had requested the man drive her daughter home, but the man had ignored the request.

Suspecting the man of raping her daughter, the mother later filed a police report.

In her application, Nur Hasanah said as the investigation could not be completed within 24 hours, a seven- day remand was needed under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

She said the police needed time to record witness statements as well as conduct a thorough investigation at the scene of the crime to gather evidence.

However, Zuraini only allowed a five- day remand on the suspect, which will end on Tuesday (July 31).