Man charged with incest

SIBU: A 45 year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today (Jan 9) to two felony charges including committing incest on his teenage daughter.

Gerina from Kampung Bedil, Kanowit, had pleaded not guilty to the charges before Sessions Court Judge Marutin Pagan who set bail at RM3,000 in one surety. The judge fixed Feb 6 for pre-trial case management.

In the first charge, Gerina was accused of committing incest on his biological daughter aged 16 years three months at an unnumbered rental house in Kanowit at about 12.30pm on Jan 1, 2024.

The offence falls under Section 376 of the Penal Code which provides for an imprisonment term of not less than eight years and not more than 30 years, and liable to whipping of not less than 10 strokes, upon conviction.

The second charge against him stated that he touched the victim for sexual purposes and therefore committed an offence of physical sexual assault punishable under Section 14(A) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOACA) 2017.

The incident allegedly took place at the same venue on Dec 24, 2023.

The charge carries an imprisonment not exceeding five years and whipping of not less than two strokes.

The case was prosecuted by DPP David Bakit whereas the accused was unrepresented.

Gerina was ordered to be remanded as he failed to furnish bail.