MUAR: A construction worker who allegedly molested his friend's daughter six years ago was charged with sexual assault at the Sessions Court today.
The accused, Mohamad Zaid Amzah, 38, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before Judge Sayani Mohd Nor.
Zaid, a father of six, is accused of committing the offence at a house in Tangkak on the morning of 28 September 2018.
According to a report lodged, the victim and her mother were travelling home after midnight when their motorcycle broke down.
The woman took the motorcycle to a nearby workshop, located in the mechanic's home. The suspect was also present at the time.
The victim, who was 11 at the time, fell asleep on a couch in the home.
The suspect allegedly took advantage of the victim, causing her to wake up and cry.
The following day, the victim experienced bleeding and told her mother what had happened.
A report was lodged, and the suspect disappeared until he was finally arrested while hiding in the toilet of his home at 1am today.
The charge against Zaid was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping upon conviction.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutors Danial Munir and Diyana Najihah Muhamed Fauzi, while Zaid was unrepresented.
No bail was granted. The court set 16 January for the submission of documents and for Zaid to appoint a lawyer.