71-year-old man claims trial to raping, sexually assaulting teenager in mall

GEORGE TOWN: A 71-year-old man was charged at the Sessions Court here with raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl in a shopping mall toilet.

Chuah Cheng Seng claimed trial after the two charges were read to him in Hokkien before judge Juraidah Abbas.

On the first count, Chuah is charged with raping the 18-year-old girl in the second-floor male toilet of a shopping mall here at 4.30pm on Oct 1.

The charge, framed under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.

For the second charge, Chuah is accused of committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature, an offence under Section 377C of the Penal Code at the same place and time.

The provision carries a jail term of between five and 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Anuarul Hakim Abdul Muen prosecuted, while the accused was represented by lawyer K. Mahendran.

Anuarul Hakim sought bail of RM10,000 for each charge, with additional conditions that Chuah not contact or harass the victim or prosecution witnesses, report to a police station monthly and surrender his passport to the court.

However, Mahendran appealed for a lower bail amount, citing his client's age, unemployment and health condition.

"My client suffers from diabetes and is supported by his child, a salesperson earning approximately RM2,000 a month," he said.

Juraidah set bail at RM14,000 for both charges with one surety.

She also ordered Chuah to report to the nearest police station on the first day of every month and surrender his passport until the case is concluded.

The court fixed Nov 16 for case mention and document submission.

It was previously reported that an eatery worker had been remanded for seven days on suspicion of raping his employer's 18-year-old daughter in a shopping mall toilet.

In the incident, the man allegedly took the victim for a walk at the shopping mall, dragged her into the second-floor men's toilet, and subjected her to forced sexual acts.

The assault reportedly ended when another visitor knocked on the toilet door.