The Sessions Court today issued an arrest warrant for former national basketball athlete Mohd Shadzwan Kamarulzaman for failing to appear for his trial of an alleged sexual offence against a minor.
Today was supposed to be the first day of his trial at the Special Court for sexual offences against children in Putrajaya.
Judge Yong Zarida Sazali issued the warrant after deputy public prosecutor Noor Jazilah Mohd Yushaa requested for one when Shadzwan failed to appear after a break in proceedings.
Shadzwan had earlier arrived in court unaccompanied and dressed in jeans and a red T-shirt and reiterated his intention to be heard before the court.
The deputy public prosecutor then requested for some time to prepare the witness statement of the victim before resuming the trial.
However, Shadzwan failed to appear when the court resumed.
Counsel Khairul Mokhtar then apologised to the court saying that his client had to attend to an emergency and that he tried to contact Shadzwan twice. He, however, did not specify what the emergency was.
The former national athlete was charged under Section 377E of the Penal Code for inciting a child to an act of gross indecency which is punishable with a maximum of five years jail and whipping.
Shadzwan, 30, had an earlier arrest warrant issued for him on Nov 1 last year but this was later cancelled by the court after he explained that he was late to appear in court.
The two-day trial has now been adjourned to Feb 12. -Mkini
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