KOTA KINABALU: A 28-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to raping a woman.
Jivrion Medis pleaded not guilty to committing the offence at 6.30am on January 27 when produced before judge Azreena Aziz.
He had allegedly raped and injured the 24-year-old woman at a hotel in Penampang, which is an offence framed under Section 376(2)(a) of the Penal Code.
The offence is punishable with a prison term not exceeding 30 years and whipping, if found guilty upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Dominic Chew Ban Huat, who acted for the prosecution, stated that the prosecution objected to bail, as the offence was non-bailable.
He also stated that the victim had been injured and suffered bruises on her hands, while adding that Jivrion had no permanent job, hence there was a high chance of him absconding.
Dominic further argued that there was also a high chance that the accused might tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses.
“The victim is suffering from trauma, and if the accused is given bail, he might meet with the victim,” Dominic said.
Jivrion, who was unrepresented, asked for bail and informed the court that he missed his child, whom he was financially providing for, adding that his mother, who was back in his village, was not well.
Azreena ordered that Jivrion be remanded under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and fixed his case management on March 23, and trial on June 24 to 26.
The prosecution would call 14 witnesses to testify against Jivrion.