KUALA LUMPUR: A 20-year-old student was charged at the Sessions Court today with sexually assaulting a 10-month-old girl, whom his mother was babysitting, last month.
The accused, who appeared before Judge Mohd Kafli Che Ali, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He is alleged to have committed the offence with sexual intent at about 10am on July 31 at a house in Kampung Baru.
The charge is under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Shakira Aliana Alias requested the court to set bail at RM15,000 with one surety.
She also proposed additional conditions, including that the accused must not contact the victim, her family, or witnesses, report to the nearest police station monthly, and surrender his passport to the court until the case is resolved.
Defence lawyer Azi Azlin Zulkifli requested a lower bail amount, citing the accused's status as a student and his health condition, leukaemia.
"Given his health issues, it is appropriate for the court to consider a lower bail amount as he has not yet been convicted."
The court set bail at RM6,000 and imposed the prosecution's additional conditions. The case is set for mention on Sept 24.