KUALA LUMPUR: An e-hailing driver claimed trial at the Sessions Court today for allegedly sexually assaulting his stepdaughter, 11, last month.
The man, 37, was accused, as someone in the position of trust with the girl, of touching her private parts with sexual intent.
He made his plea after the charge was read out to him before judge Azrul Darus.
He allegedly committed the offence at 12pm at an apartment unit in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Cheras, on Oct 19.
The charge under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act read with Section 16(1) which carries a maximum 20 year jail term and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Atiqa Nazihah Azmi did not offer bail as the accused and the victim have familial ties and live in the same house.
"However, if the court wants to use its discretion to offer bail, I suggest it to be fixed at RM10,000.
"As additional conditions, the accused also must surrender his passport to the court, report to the police station and not come in contact with the victim, her family and witnesses.
"He must not live under the same roof with the victim until case disposal," she said.
In mitigation, National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Narandra Kangatharan asked for a RM5,000 bail to be allowed and did not object to the prosecution's additional conditions.
"His wife will be his bailor. The accused will live at his brother's house in Putrajaya while the victim will be sent to a boarding school."
During proceedings, Azrul had also asked who made the police report against the accused.
To this, Atiqa said the victim had lodged the police report.
The court fixed bail at RM8,000 with one surety and allowed the prosecution's additional conditions.
Dec 2 was set for mention.