Fishermen brothers, 18 and 25, charged with sexually assaulting their young cousin in Tangkak 5 years ago.
PETALING JAYA: Two brothers appeared before the Sessions Court in Tangkak, Johor today facing multiple charges of sexually assaulting their female cousin, with the alleged crimes dating back five years to when the victim was just nine years old.
The accused individuals, currently aged 18 and 25, both entered not guilty pleas when the charges were read before sessions judge Mohd Khairi Haron.
Kosmo reported that the elder brother faces two charges while his younger sibling is charged with three counts related to the case.
According to the first through fifth charges filed, the siblings, who work as fishermen, are accused of committing sexual offences against their cousin during the period when she was nine years old.
The alleged offences took place in a storage room and a bedroom at a residence in Tangkak, occurring between late March and November through early December 2020.
Both accused have been charged under Section 14 (a) and (d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (AKKSTKK) 2017, which carries penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and whipping for each charge.
According to the police report filed, the victim was brought to the storage location where both accused allegedly ordered her to perform indecent acts.
The brothers also allegedly threatened to harm the victim if she disclosed their actions to her parents, creating an atmosphere of fear that kept her silent initially.
However, the victim eventually found the emotional burden too overwhelming to bear and revealed the incidents to her family before a formal police report was lodged at the Sungai Mati Police Station in Tangkak.
The prosecution is being handled by deputy public prosecutor Nur Ameerah Allaudeen, while neither of the accused is currently represented by legal counsel.
The court granted bail to the elder brother at RM8,000 and the younger brother at RM9,000, each requiring one guarantor.
Additional bail conditions were imposed requiring both men to report regularly to their nearest police station and to refrain from any contact with the victim or prosecution witnesses until the case concludes.
The case has been scheduled for mention on February 24 for legal representation appointment and document submission.
