SIBU: A 44-year-old man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday for committing rape on a teenage girl.
However, no plea was taken from Siaw Chung Ming of Permai Jaya here as the presiding Sessions Court judge was not available.
He understood the charge which was read and explained to him through an interpreter.
Magistrate Romario Jonoi granted him to be released on bail pending further mention on Nov 18 at the Sessions Court.
According to the charge sheet, Siaw was accused of committing rape on a 15-year-old victim at a rental house in Jalan Tong Sang from March to October this year.
The offence falls under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code which provides for an imprisonment of not less than 10 years or not more than 30 years, as well as liable to whipping upon conviction.
In a separate case at the same court, a 38-year-old man was charged with repeated drug abuse.
But no plea was taken from Mohd Zuria Meni after the charge was read and explained to him which he understood.
The case is fixed for further mention on Nov 18 at the Sessions Court.
The charge against the accused alleged that he has self-administered dangerous drugs of methamphetamine and amphetamine at Jalan Wawasan on May 27 at about 7.30 pm.
The charge further mentioned that he had been previously convicted for not less than two similar offences.
Thereby, he has committed an offence under Section 15(1)(a) of Dangerous Drug Act 1952 (Act 234) which is punishable under Section 39C (1) of the same Act.
Upon conviction, the accused could face up to less than five years in prison or not exceed seven years’ imprisonment as well as liable to whipping of not less than three strokes.
Both cases were prosecuted by ASP Siti Mariyah while both accused were unrepresented by legal counsel.
