KOTA KINABALU: Four local youths claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to separate charges of raping a minor last month.
Ismail (second left), Md Azain (second right), Sufian (middle) and Mohd Rizuan (hiding behind a policeman on the left) being escorted by policemen yesterday.
Ismail Alim, 20, Mohd Rizuan Pangawan, 20, Md Azain Azaman, 18, and Sufian Shah Amat, 19, all of them are friends, allegedly raped the 14-year two-month old girl in a hut at the hill in Kampung Junjung, Menumbok at 12.30am on Sept 21.
Self-employed Ismail, farmer Mohd Rizuan, Md Azain and Sufian, both fishermen, are separately charged under Section 376 (2) (c) of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of between five and 30 years and whipping.
High Court deputy registrar Zulkifli Abllah, who sat as a Sessions Court judge, set Nov 8 this year for the joint trial of all the accused.
The court released each of them on RM7,000 bail with two local sureties pending the disposal of the case.
The prosecution has 16 witnesses to testify against Ismail, Mohd Rizuan, Md Azain and Sufian who were unrepresented by a lawyer.
ASP Sabrina Jinius prosecuted the case.