MIRI: A jobless man pleaded not guilty in the Session Court yesterday on a charge of raping a minor three years ago.
Muhammad Daniel Abdullah was charged under Section (2) (d) of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of between 10 and 30 years and canning on conviction.
He allegedly raped a 14-year and nine month-old girl (during incident) twice, at 2am and 4am on March 11, at a timber camp quarters in Marudi.
Earlier, prosecuting officer Inspector Mohd Khairi Mohd Noor applied for a new date for case management as the accused had pleaded not guilty, and claimed trial.
The prosecution also ordered a RM20,000-bail in two sureties. However, the accused pleaded for a lesser bail amount as he is jobless.
Judge Steve Ritikos set May 17 for case management and Sept 18 to 21 for the trial, and set bail at RM15,000 with two local sureties.
The court also reminded the accused to hire a lawyer to represent him in the trial.