KUCHING: A former police corporal today claimed trial in the Sessions Court to a charge of raping his 12-year-old niece.
The 57-year-old accused pleaded not guilty before Judge Iris Awen Jon to the charge under Section 376 (1) of the Penal Code.
According the charge, he was accused of raping his niece aged 12 years and nine months at a residence in Petra Jaya between 2003 and June 21, 2009.
He faces up to 20 years imprisonment and caning if found guilty.
During the case mention, defence lawyer Abdul Rahman Hazmi requested bail, arguing that his client did not reside in the same area as the victim.
However, deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Aiman Mutallib Mohamad Shariff opposed bail as it was a non-bailable offence and the risk of the accused fleeing.
Judge Iris sided with the prosecution since the accused had previously fled to Indonesia after the victim filed a police report alleging rape.
The court then scheduled April 21 for case management.
The victim reported that she was raped seven times between 2003, when she was seven years old, and June 21, 2009, when she turned 12. Traumatised by these alleged incidents, the girl filed a police report for further action.
However, the accused reportedly fled to Indonesia after learning about the police report. After 2009, he allegedly changed his name and identity, obtained Indonesian citizenship, and established an adoptive family there.
The accused, who was on the wanted list, was apprehended by police on March 7 after being on the run for 16 years.
He was arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Indonesia.
