By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Oct 20: A 51-year-old auxiliary police officer pleaded not guilty when charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with the alleged molestation of a 17-year-old girl on October 14.
Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan ordered the accused, who hails from Bintulu, to be released on bail of RM3,000 with a local surety. The case management has been set for December 5, 2023.
According to the charge, the man is accused of using criminal force against the victim by touching her thighs and hands, pinching her cheek, and forcibly kissing her mouth with the intent to outrage her modesty.
The alleged offence is said to have occurred inside a car parked behind a learning centre at Jalan Sultan Tengah on October 14 around 11.30pm.
For this action, the defendant faces a charge under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine, caning, or any combination thereof upon conviction.
It is understood that the victim (complainant), who was visiting her ailing mother, was returning late to the learning centre, and the accused, who was on duty that day, informed her that vehicles were not allowed to enter after 10pm.
Furthermore, it is understood that the accused reportedly offered to drive the victim to the hostel in his car, and the victim agreed, as she was reluctant to walk alone to the hostel at that time.
The defendant was not represented by legal counsel, while the prosecution was conducted by Inspector Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang. — DayakDaily
