KOTA KINABALU: A jobless youth was ordered by the Sessions Court here yesterday to enter his defence for raping his 15-year-old girlfriend.
In her ruling, judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad stated that the prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Dominic Chew Ban Huat, had established a prima facie case against Mohd Baharuddin Pataruddin, 20.
Datuk Norbert Chin, who defended Mohd Baharuddin, requested a postponement, saying that he needed time to interview his client, who was currently being remanded at the Kepayan Detention Center.
Mohd Baharuddin had been charged with raping the girl in a room at a house in Kinarut Papar on August 31, 2013 between 6pm and 10:30pm.
The offence under Section 375(g) of the Penal Code carries a maximum prison term of 20 years, and whipping, if found guilty upon conviction.
During the prosecution, a total of seven witnesses were called in to testify, while Datuk Norbert stated that only his client would be testifying from the defense side.
The court then fixed March 26 and 27 for the defence phase.
Meanwhile, in another court, a 27-year-old foreigner was charged with trafficking 31.10 grams of syabu (methamphetamine).
Norhan Suwaed, who was produced before judge Indra Haji Ayub, pleaded not guilty to the offence which he had committed at a house in Taman Intan, Jalan Bundusan.
The offence, framed under Section 39A of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, carries a life term imprisonment.
Deputy public prosecutor Aida Fatimah, who prosecuted, urged that bail be denied, as the accused was not local.
The court then fixed his case management on April 16, and his trial on May 29, and ordered that he be remanded pending disposal of the case.