MUAR: A 22-year-old graduate was charged at the Sessions Court here yesterday with allegedly raping a minor he befriended on social media.
Muhammad Fakhrul Hakim Mohamad Ali, 22, faced one charge of raping a 15-year-old girl he befriended two months prior to the alleged rape on July 3, 2022.
He pleaded not guilty and asked to be tried before judge Abu Bakar Manat.
According to the charges, he was accused of raping the girl on July 3, 2022, at a playground near Sungai Mati, Tangkak, between 6.15pm and 6.40 pm.
He faces a jail term of not more than 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Danial Munir prosecuted while Nor Hafizah Abdullah represented the accused.
The court allowed Fakhrul to be bailed at RM6,000 with one surety and fixed May 7 for the re-mention and the submission of documents.
The court also set two conditions: he is required to report to the nearest police station once a month, and should refrain from harassing or contacting the victim and her family members.
Based on the victim's police report, lodged on same day of the alleged rape, the accuser had left the minor near a convenience store after the incident.