Pakistani Man Charged With Sodomy, Sexual Assault And Robbery

SHAH ALAM, July 23 (Bernama) -- A Pakistani man was charged in the Sessions Court here today on five charges involving sodomy, sexual assault and robbery of two children and two teenage boys between April and June.

Muhammad Hassan, 24, however, pleaded not guilty after all charges were read out before Judge Norazlin Othman in Urdu.

The accused is facing two charges of having unnatural sex with a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old boy without their consent.

The offences were committed on June 26 and May 18 in an area near Section 27 Shah Alam at 10.05 pm and 1.30 pm respectively.

The accused was charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and caning.

The man was also accused of robbing a 19-year-old teenager of RM230 in cash at the same place and time and was charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 14 years and a fine or whipping, if convicted.

In addition, in the same proceedings, the accused was also charged with committing sexual assault on two boys aged eight and 13 in May and June, also around Section 27.

The charge was made under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and can be subject to whipping.

Today's proceedings were conducted by deputy public prosecutors Nurul Sofea Jaysal and Ruthra Raj Selvarajoo while the accused was not represented.

Nurul Sofea did not offer any bail to the accused.

Muhammad Hassan, through an interpreter, appealed to the court to appoint a lawyer on his behalf as he had no contacts or family in Malaysia and was unaware of the process for appointing a lawyer as he was being held in prison.

The court then set September 23 for the submission of documents and appointment of a lawyer.

-- BERNAMA