Rape: Man ordered to enter defence

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KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court yesterday ordered a jobless man to enter his defence on a charge of raping a minor after judge Ismail Brahim ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against 25-year-old local Azizi Ismail.

Oct 22 and 23 this year were set for the accused, who was represented by counsel Loretto S. Padua, to make his defence.

Azizi stands accused of raping a girl, who was then 17 years old, in a bush near the railway line in Kampung Sinar Baru, Papar at about 3pm on Jan 15, 2010.

He is charged under Section 375 (g) of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 376 (1) of the same Code which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and also liable to a fine, upon conviction.

The trial started on Nov 16 last year with the prosecution having called seven witnesses to testify against the accused.

Azizi is currently released on RM5,000 bail with two local sureties pending disposal of the case.

Deputy public prosecutor Nartiah F. Mirchelle Sambatan prosecuted.