Pastor charged with sex offence
Man, 59, accused of inserting finger into woman’s genitals
BUTTERWORTH: A 59-year-old pastor who was charged at a Sessions Court here with committing a sexual offence was seen limping towards the dock.
Ooi Kean Lye, who was helped by a policeman as he headed towards the stand, pleaded not guilty yesterday to a charge under Section 377 CA of the Penal Code for inserting his finger into a 24-year-old woman’s private parts.
The offence was allegedly committed at about 2pm on Dec 1 at an apartment along Jalan Laguna in Prai.
The charge carries a jail term of up to 30 years and whipping.
Judge Noor Aini Yusof set bail at RM15,000 with one surety.
Earlier, Ooi’s counsel Mohd Izad Buqhary Mohd Kamri said Ooi had diabetes, high blood pressure, knee problems as well as blurred vision.
“My client was on police bail and turned up in court. It shows that he has no intention to run away.
“I request for a reasonable bail amount,” he said after DPP Nazratul Natrah Mohd Yusof argued that the charge was non-bailable.
Noor Aini also ordered Ooi not to harass, contact or meet the victim until the case was over and set Jan 29 for mention.
It was earlier reported that the victim, who works as a clerk, had gone to the pastor’s house for treat- ment of her joints on Dec 1.
The victim later alleged that the pastor had undressed her to massage her body and put his finger into her genitals.