On Feb 27, Adam Haiqal Abdullah had pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the minor at the sessions court in Hulu Selangor. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: A disabled teenager charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in a mosque in Batang Kali last month has retracted his guilty plea and is now claiming trial.
Adam Haiqal Abdullah, 19, changed his plea after the same charge was read to him again before Hulu Selangor sessions court judge Norshila Kamarudin.
“I understand (the charge). I plead not guilty,” he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying.
The court had fixed today for Adam’s sentencing following his earlier guilty plea, pending a report from the welfare department.
He was charged on Feb 27 with committing physical sexual assault on the victim at the mosque at 6.20am on Feb 12.
The charge, framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and whipping, upon conviction.
Following the accused’s change of plea, deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie requested a new date for the submission of documents.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Lingswaran Singh informed the court that they would be filing a representation to have the charge dropped.
However, Norshila said that this could only be done after the document submission on April 29.
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