SEREMBAN - A 41-year-old teacher has pleaded not guilty to five sexual offence charges involving a 14-year-old student.
Nurul Asyikin Sutan Shahril pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to her before Sessions judge Siti Aishah Ab Rashid on Wednesday (May 20).
The first charge was brought under Section 377B of the Penal Code for committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature, read together with Section 16 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Section 16 introduces harsher sentences on those in a position of trust over victims.
The accused was charged with committing the offence at a house here around 1.30pm on April 7.
Under Section 377B of the Penal Code, she faces up to 20 years' jail and caning upon conviction.
Those convicted under Section 16 of the Act face further penalties of up to five years in jail and at least two strokes of the cane.
Nurul Asyikin also claimed trial to two charges of physical sexual assault on the same victim, allegedly committed between Sept 12 and 20 last year and on April 7 this year in a residential area here and in an apartment.
She was charged under Section 14(a) of the Act, read together with Section 16.
The accused also claimed trial to two other charges of non-physical sexual assault against the same victim between Sept 13 and April 10.
The two charges were levelled under Sections 15(a)(i) and 15(a)(ii) of the Act, read together with Section 16.
Offenders can be jailed up to 10 years or fined not more than RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.
The alleged offences were committed in an apartment here.
Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni then asked the court for a mention date and proposed bail of RM30,000 for each charge.
She also asked the court to order the accused to report to the nearest police station until her case is disposed of, to stay away from the alleged victim and prosecution witnesses, and to surrender her passport to the court.
However, defence counsel Zaflee Pakwanteh pleaded for a lower amount, adding that the accused earned some RM6,000 a month as a teacher and was also married with two children.
Judge Siti Aishah then set bail at RM5,000 for each charge and allowed the other applications by the prosecution.
She fixed July 1 for the next case mention. - THE STAR