JOHOR BARU: A 42-year-old welfare centre assistant pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to four charges of raping and sexually abusing an 11-year-old child at an orphanage in May.

       The accused was alleged to have sexually abused the victim by touching her chest, private parts and kissing her before raping her.

       Three of the charges are under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 that carries imprisonment for up to 20 years and also liable to whipping, upon conviction.

       The fourth charge is under Section 376(2)(e) of the Penal Code for committing rape against the victim, which carries a jail term of up to 30 years and whipping, upon conviction.

       The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Chan Choon Yew, while the accused was not represented.

       Chan requested the court not to offer bail to the accused as he had betrayed the victim’s trust and there would be risk of harassing and causing trauma to the victim who is still at the welfare home.

       The accused pleaded to be offered bail as he has two children under his care.

       Sessions judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob then decided not to allow bail for the accused and set Sept 22 for mention.