IPOH: A 39-year-old music teacher at a primary school here pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault against a 10-year-old pupil.
The accused claimed trial when the charges were read to him before Sessions Court Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad on Thursday (Nov 23)
According to the charges, he had allegedly touched the girl’s private parts in June this year at about 9.45am at the school’s music room.
For the second offence, he allegedly placed his private parts against the victim’s buttocks in July at about 10.30am at the music room.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty years and also whipping, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Qurratu’aini Khalifah requested the court not to offer bail to the accused.
The accused's lawyer said his client was married with three children aged between three and nine years old.
He said his client also suffered from health issues including heart problems, and had a low red blood cell count, and was awaiting a follow-up appointment at the Batu Gajah hospital in December.
“When the police carried out investigations in July, my client was given police bail.
“He has been cooperative, and for the hearing today he came on his own.
“Being a civil servant, the issue of him running away does not arise, and thus if the bail amount is high it will affect his family,” he said.
Judge Ainul Shahrin set bail at RM5,000 with one surety, and fixed Dec 20 for mention.
