GERIK: A 54-year-old man has been remanded for a week after being suspected of sexually assaulting his six-year-old grand-niece at a house here.
The seven-day remand order which ends on Monday, was granted by magistrate Savinder Singh Jugindar Singh when the man was brought to the magistrate's court here, today.
Clad in white t-shirt and blue jeans, the unemployed man was arrested yesterday.
The remand was granted to facilitate further investigations under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, and whipping, upon conviction.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris when contacted today said the suspect had repeatedly groped the victim's genitals between March and April this year.
The incident reportedly occurred in a hut located in the residential area where the suspect's sister, who is also the victim's grandmother, lives.
Azizi said the suspect had claimed that he wanted to massage the victim's stomach to release trapped air.
"The man was only arrested yesterday after the victim's mother reported the incident to the police on Sunday.
"The victim had only recently found the courage to disclose the matter to her mother after the mother noticed unusual behavior from her child. Prior to this, the suspect had warned the victim not to tell anyone," he said.
Azizi said following the disclosure, the victim was taken to Gerik Hospital and referred to a pediatric specialist for further action.
"The victim told her mother that the suspect called her and said he wanted to massage her stomach to release trapped air. After the suspect massaged her stomach, his hand went inside her pants and he allegedly groped her genitals.
"The victim tried to resist but was warned by the suspect not to make any noise. She eventually remained silent out of fear that the suspect would harm her.
"This indecent assault happened between March and April this year. The victim reported that the abuse occurred repeatedly but she was afraid to tell her mother. The incidents occurred in a hut located in front of her grandmother's house," he said.