Priest charged with sexually abusing teenage boy in temple

KUANTAN: A 42-year-old priest was charged at the Sessions Court here today with committing sexual abuse against a teenage boy within the temple premises here last year.

S. Shanmugam was also slapped with a second charge for possessing pornographic materials on his mobile phone.

The accused pleaded not guilty to both the charges which were read out to him separately before judge Azman Mustapha.

In the first charge, the man was accused of committing non-physical sexual assault by exposing his private part to a 16-year-old boy about 11.30pm between Feb 15 and Feb 17 last year.

He was charged under Section 15(a)(i) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (SOAC) and faces a penalty of up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of RM20,000, or both.

For the second charge, Shanmugam claimed trial for possessing pornography materials in his mobile phone about 11.30pm on Feb 15.

He was charged under Section 292 of the Penal Code for possession of obscene materials, which carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.

The accused had allegedly committed both offences inside a room within the temple premises here.

Deputy public prosecutor Anuarul Hakim Abdul Muen appeared for the prosecution while the accused was represented by lawyer S. Kumeraselvam.

Azman set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and imposed additional conditions that the accused must not disturb the victim and witnesses in connection with the case. He fixed Feb 25 for mention.

In March last year, it was reported that a temple priest had allegedly committed sexual offences against male victims, including a juvenile, before he was arrested at his house here.

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