Unemployed man pleads not guilty to rape charge

KUCHING: An unemployed man, 20, pleaded not guilty at a Sessions Court here yesterday to raping his girlfriend, 15.

Judge Jason Juga fixed Dec 11 for case management and allowed the accused to be released on RM10,000-bail with two local sureties.

“The accused was also ordered not to approach the victim in any way, either personally or through an agent. Failure to comply will result in bail being withdrawn,” Juga said during the proceedings.

According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed the act sometime in September last year, at a budget hotel in Jalan Padungan here.

Based on facts of the case, the accused from Petra Jaya, had been in contact with the girl since September last year, and met for the first time on the day of the incident.

Medical reports from a hospital confirmed there were tear marks on the girl’s hymen.

The accused was charged under Section 376 (1) of the Penal Code which provides for jail up to 20 years and can also be whipped on conviction.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Nurfadzlin Mahmad Zulhasnan.