Nov 6 for trial of man charged with sexual harassment

KUCHING: The Magistrate’s Court here has fixed this November 6 for the trial of an unemployed man charged with sexually harassing a woman in front of a mall at Persiaran Spring here, yesterday.

Magistrate Zaiton Anuar reminded the accused, Ahmad Asri Mohammadin, 28, to appoint a lawyer to represent him in the trial.

According to the charge sheet, the accused from Kampung Baru, Daro, allegedly molested a 19year-old woman, by hugging her from behind and touching her private parts.

He allegedly committed the act on June 25, at 5 pm, while the woman was queuing to enter the mall. Upon realising what the accused was doing, she immediately sought help from the security guards who were at the scene at the material time.

For such act, the accused is charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years or a fine or whipping or any two of those punishments, if convicted.

Earlier, on June 30, the accused pleaded not guilty when he was charged before Magistrate Zaiton, who later allowed him to be released on bail of RM3,000 with a local surety.

The prosecution was conducted by prosecuting officer Inspector Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang.