Hardware store worker in Terengganu accused of raping 16‑year‑old sister, pleads not guilty

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 2 — A 25-year-old man was charged at the Sessions Court here today on two counts of rape and physical sexual assault against his 16-year-old biological sister in January and June last year. 

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty after both charges were read out separately before Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli. 

According to the first charge, the hardware store worker was charged with raping his biological sister at about 11pm in Kampung Titian Baru, here in January. 

The charge was framed under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between eight and 30 years and whipping of not less than 10 strokes.

For the second charge, he was accused of committing physical sexual assault against the same victim at about 9pm on June 21 at the same location. 

The charge was framed under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping, and an additional prison sentence of up to five years and whipping of not less than two times, if convicted. 

The court denied bail and set August 2 for the case mention. 

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Asymawi Ghazali while the accused was represented by a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK). — Bernama