38-year-old S. Prakash Kumar, a taxi driver, was accused of raping a 24-year-old American woman in a room at Lakeside Villa Homestay, Taman Pantai Sepang Putra, Sg Pelek at about 1am on 12th March 2013. The charge under Section 376 of the Penal Code carries a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping on conviction.
However, he later claimed trial after the charge was read to him in Bahasa Malaysia before Sessions Court judge Norhayati Mohd Yunus on yesterday.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamalia Yahdi offered bail at RM40,000 with two sureties and Prakash need to report at the nearest police station first week each month. In asking for a lower bail, Prakash who was unrepresented said that his wife was not working and is supporting his only child.
Sessions Judge Norhayati Mohd Yunus granted bail at RM25,000 with two sureties and ordered him to report at the nearest police station first week each month pending mention on 6th May 2013.
Meanwhile in Petaling Jaya Sessions Court, Prakash also pleaded not guilty to committing robbery of RM300 and a handphone by using a knife infront of The Curve at Jalan Persiaran Surian, Damansara at about 6pm on 11th March 2013. Sessions Judge Yasmin Abdul Razak later allowed bail at RM8,000.
In another Sessions Court, 46-year-old scrap metal collector R. Muthu and 26-year-old car wash worker A.P. Joseph Aaron also claimed trial to robbing the American woman. Sessions Judge Rozina Ayob granted bail at RM5,000 each.
In a Magistrate’s court, magistrate Surya Wati Shawal granted bail at RM5,000 each for the trio after they pleaded not guilty to kidnapping.
The three courts have fixed 16th May 2013 for mention.
(Source)
