MUAR: The Sessions Court has ordered a mechanic to enter his defence against charges of raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter two years ago.
Judge Sayani Mohd Nor made the ruling today after the prosecution successfully established a prima facie case against the accused.
In delivering her decision, Judge Sayani said the court had thoroughly reviewed the prosecution witnesses' testimonies and the exhibits presented.
"At this stage after evaluations, the court determines that the prosecution has successfully proven a prima facie case against the accused. Therefore, the court orders the accused to enter his defence," she ordered.
Deputy public prosecutor Danial Munir had presented five witnesses, including the victim and her mother during the earlier court proceedings.
According to the charges, the accused allegedly raped his stepdaughter on Aug 8, 2022, at their house in Simpang Renggam, Kluang.
The accused faces charges under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code for rape, which carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and not less than 10 strokes of the cane.
It was reported that on the day of the incident, the victim was alone when the accused entered her room wearing only shorts and later returned wrapped in a towel.
Subsequently, the accused allegedly showed the victim pornographic videos before committing the act.
The crime was exposed when the victim confided to her mother, who lead her to lodge a police report at the Simpang Renggam police station.