Court rejects beauty contest official’s bid to review order in molest case

 

High Court judge Ismail Brahim dismissed the accused’s application after hearing submissions from both parties. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The High Court in Kota Kinabalu today dismissed an application by a man to review an order for him to enter his defence on four charges of molesting an Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant contestant.

Phillip Among @ Daniel Dell Fidelis, 55, had applied to review a magistrate’s decision ordering him to enter his defence on the charges.

According to The Borneo Post, Justice Ismail Brahim today dismissed the accused’s application after hearing submissions from both parties.

In December last year, the magistrates’ court had ordered Among to enter his defence after it ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.

Among was charged with molesting a Unduk Ngadau contestant four times at various places on May 19, 2021 between 2pm and 10pm.

He was the technical head for the 2021 state-level Unduk Ngadau competition.

The offences allegedly took place inside Studio Darvel Bay Borneo Holidays Sdn Bhd in Asia City; inside a moving car from a restaurant towards an old office in the city; at a staircase next to Ever Best Photo in Asia City; and inside an office in Metro Town.

The charges were framed under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which provides a jail term of up to 10 years, or a fine, or whipping, or any two such punishments.

On June 10, 2021, Among claimed trial to the charges.

The trial started on April 12, 2022, and the prosecution closed its case on Sept 7, 2023, after eight witnesses were called to testify. - FMT