AYER KEROH: A scrap metal collector, who also worked as a balloonist clown, was charged at the Sessions Court here today with raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl last month.
The 38-year-old accused pleaded not guilty after the charges were read in front of Judge Azaraorni Abd Rahman.
According to the two charges, the man allegedly raped and sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl at a house in Kampung Tehel, near Jasin, around 6am on Nov 25.
For the first offence, the accused, who was not represented, faces a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years, along with whipping, under Section 376 (2) of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, for the charge of physical sexual assault, he was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.
The prosecution, represented by deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Ali Hussain, did not offer bail but suggested a bail amount of RM10,000 with additional conditions, should the court use its discretion to grant bail.
The accused, however, appealed for a lower bail amount, stating that he only works as a scrap metal collector and as a balloonist clown.
The court denied bail and ordered the accused to report to the investigating officer once a month and prohibited him from contacting the victim and prosecution witnesses.
The court set Jan 14 for mention and for the appointment of a lawyer and document submission.