Foreigner claims trial to raping 7-year-old

 

If convicted, he faces a jail term of between 10 and 30 years, and whipping. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: A 51-year-old foreigner in Sabah has claimed trial to raping a seven-year-old girl who was under his care in 2018.

According to the Daily Express, the foreigner was said to have committed the offence between 9am and 6pm in 2018 at an oil palm estate in Jalan Marak Parak, Kota Marudu.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 376(2)(e) of the Penal Code before judge Elsie Primus at the Kota Kinabalu sessions court yesterday. If convicted, he faces a jail term of between 10 and 30 years, and whipping.

The accused, who is married to a Malaysian, was not granted bail, as deputy public prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman pointed out that the man was the victim’s caretaker.

The victim is currently under the social welfare department’s care.

Earlier, the accused’s wife broke down in tears after finding out her husband was being charged with raping a minor. The wife was initially unaware why her husband was being brought to court.

Case management has been set for Oct 27. - FMT