KUCHING: A 53-year-old China national pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today (Sept 14) to a charge of raping a 46-year-old woman earlier this month.
The accused entered his plea when the charge was read before Judge Iris Awen Jon.
He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
The charge alleged that the accused raped his 46-year-old friend between 6.30pm and 10.30pm on Sept 1 inside a room near a food premises along Jalan Tun Jugah.
The complainant was understood to have lodged a police report on Sept 4 following the incident.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng applied for the accused to be denied bail, submitting that the offence was non-bailable and carried a heavy sentence.
He also argued that there was a risk of the accused absconding from court proceedings as he was a China national.
The prosecution further submitted that the gravity of the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, warranted the accused being remanded pending disposal of the case.
Judge Iris Awen Jon denied bail and ordered the accused to be remanded at Puncak Borneo Prison pending disposal of the case.
The court fixed Oct 14 for pre-trial case management.
The accused was represented by counsel Voon Lee Shan.
