KUCHING: A 32 year old teacher at a Chinese middle school claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to two charges of sexually assaulting two students under his care at an apartment in the city.
The accused pleaded not guilty before Judge Iris Awen Jon to both charges under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017, read together with Section 16 of the same Act.
According to the charges, he allegedly committed the offences on April 25, at about 3am at an apartment near Jalan Ketek, Mile 6 here.
He is accused of sexually assaulting the 13 year-old two students by hugging them and touching their private parts for sexual purposes.
The offences were allegedly committed while he was in a position of trust in relation to the victims.
For the offences under Section 14(a), the accused faces imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years and is also liable to whipping.
Under Section 16, he may face additional imprisonment of up to five years and whipping of not more than two strokes.
During proceedings, the prosecution applied for bail at RM20,000 with two local sureties, along with conditions that the accused report to the nearest police station, surrender his passport to the court, and not approach the victims.
The defence submitted that the seriousness of the offence should not be the sole consideration in deciding bail and stressed that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Counsel also informed the court that sureties had been prepared and proposed for reasonable bail to be imposed.
It is also understood that the teacher has been suspended from his duties.
Judge Iris allowed bail at RM10,000 (deposited) with two local sureties.
The court further ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station, surrender his passport, and not approach the victims.
The case has been fixed for pre-trial case management (PTCM) on Jun 18.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Marvind Kaliyani prosecuted, while the accused was represented by counsel Russell Lim.
