IPOH: A member of the Navy was charged at the Sessions Court here on Friday (Dec 31) with the physical sexual assault and rape of a 17-year-old girl.

       The 36-year-old, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, had allegedly committed the offences in a bedroom of an apartment in Lumut at 11pm on Dec 17.

       He was charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

       The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Raya Nur Amanina Zulkefli while the navy personnel, who has three children aged from one to six years old, was represented by lawyer Fahmi Izzudin Jefri.

       The court set RM5,000 bail with one surety with the additional condition that he not disturb the victim and prosecution witnesses until the completion of the case and set case mention on Feb 11.

       At the same court, a military police officer was also charged with two counts of robbing two sisters last week.

       Lance Corporal SR Alex Praba, 21, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in front of Judge Norita Mohd Ardani.

       The accused, who is stationed in Sarawak, was charged with robbing the handbags of both sisters, aged 21 and 27 years old, at an oil palm plantation near Jalan Kampung Paya Nibong, Ayer Tawar, in Manjung at 12.15am on Dec 21, while he was in his hometown in Manjung for the Christmas holiday.

       He was charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code and faces a maximum of 14 year’s jail and fine or caning if convicted.

       Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Nazreen Zabarudin sought bail of RM10,000 while defence counsel Vivian Michelle requested for a lower sum on the basis that her client only earned RM1,500 a month and was supporting his parents.

       Judge Norita set bail at RM7,000 with one surety on the additional condition that the accused was barred from disturbing the victims and prosecution witnesses until the case is completed and set case mention for Jan 31. - Bernama