IPOH: A man was charged at the Sessions Court here today with two counts of physical sexual assault on his nine and 14-year-old stepdaughters between 2022 and last year.
The 44-year-old accused who works as an excavator driver and is a divorcee, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read before judge Hilmiah Yusof.
For the first count, he was accused of touching her stepdaughter's private parts for sexual purposes when she was nine-years-old.
The offence was allegedly committed at a house in Taman Bahtera in Pantai Remis, Manjung about 11am in 2022.
For the second count, he was accused of touching the chest and private parts of another daughter who was 14-years-old at that time, for sexual purposes.
The offence was allegedly committed at the same address between April and May, last year.
The offences fall under Section 14(a) and read together with Section 16 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) which carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Qurratu'Aini Khalifah appeared for the prosecution while the accused was not represented.
During mitigation, the accused pleaded for lower bail as he only earns RM120 daily and needs to support his wife and three children.
The court then set RM8,000 bail with one surety for all charges and imposed additional conditions, where the accused is prohibited from approaching the victims until the case is settled.
The court also set Sept 23 for mention.