KUCHING: A 31-year-old man was charged in the Sessions Court here today with raping a 15-year-old girl he allegedly met through social media.
The accused, a supervisor at a construction company, pleaded not guilty before Judge Iris Awen Jon.
He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping, upon conviction.
According to the charge, he allegedly committed the offence inside a vehicle at a coastal area in Lundu on Mar 4, 2025 at 7 pm.
The court was being told that the victim lodged a police report, which led to his arrest.
The judge set Apr 15 for pre-trial case management.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng opposed bail application by defence counsel Francis Teron on grounds that the offence is a serious one under Section 52B of the Penal Code, which carries an imprisonment term of up to 20 years.
The court did not allow bail while the accused awaits trial.
