PETALING JAYA: A former captain of the national football squad claimed trial at a Magistrate's Court here to a charge of criminal trespass by allegedly entering a woman's hotel room last month.
Ahmad Shahrul Azhar Sofian (pic), 49, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before Magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah here on Monday (July 10).
According to the charge, Ahmad Shahrul entered the hotel room of a 36-year-old woman without permission at 6pm on June 21 in Kelana Jaya.
The former Perak FA player was charged under Section 448 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum three years imprisonment or fine of up to RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Siti Maryam Jamilah Md Kamal offered bail at RM6,000.
"The victim in this case is known to the accused, so I ask for the court to impose an additional condition that the accused does not disturb the victim and prosecution witnesses until the disposal of the case," she said.
Ahmad Shahrul's lawyer Datuk Suraj Singh asked for a lower bail amount on grounds that his client was supporting his wife and seven children and was not a flight risk.
"I seek a lower bail as bail should not be punitive on a person before the start of the trial.
"My client is under police bail. When he received the call to appear at the court, he did not abscond or run away," he said.
Suraj also told the court that Ahmad Shahrul's wife was a housewife while six of his children were still studying.
Ahmad Shahrul has no prior court cases, Suraj added.
The court allowed bail at RM2,000 as well as the additional condition.
The case is fixed for mention on Sept 18.
On June 24, the police released a statement on the arrest of a former national footballer following a report filed by the victim.
Majoriti reported that the victim’s husband had taken to social media to thank those who helped his wife before he arrived at the scene.
