Lorry driver charged with sexually abusing stepdaughter

KOTA BARU: A lorry driver has been charged at the Sessions Court with sexually abusing his stepdaughter earlier this month.

The 29-year-old entered a not guilty plea after the charge was read out before Judge Zulkifli Abllah.

He is accused of committing the offence against his 11-year stepchild at a house in Kedai Buloh, Jalan Kuala Besar, at around 8am on June 6.

The charge falls under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and is punishable under Section 14 of the same Act, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Kamarul Hasyime Rosli, while the accused was not represented by a lawyer.

Earlier, Kamarul objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence.

The court subsequently set July 28 for case mention to allow the accused time to appoint a lawyer.

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