Football coach in tears after claiming trial to abusing two female students
KOTA TINGGI: A football coach broke down in tears as he was led out of the Sessions Court here today after pleading not guilty to four charges of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old schoolgirls in separate incidents.
Meor Azizi Zolkfle, 33, allegedly committed the offences between November last year and May this year at a sports complex in Stadium Bandar Penawar and near a secondary school field in Felda Adela.
Appearing before judge Hayda Faridzal Abu Hasan, Meor claimed trial to the charges which involved allegedly touching the teenage girls' thighs and backs and groping their breasts.
The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act. If convicted, the accused faces up to 20 years in jail and whipping, with additional penalties of at least two strokes under Section 16.
Deputy public prosecutor Foo Fang Leong did not offer bail but proposed RM10,000 for each charge should the court consider bail, along with additional conditions to protect the victims.
"The accused must not contact the victims or prosecution witnesses and must report to the nearest police station once a month until the case concludes," said Foo.
Meor, who sobbed throughout proceedings, appealed for a lower bail amount, citing his RM2,000 monthly income and responsibility for two children.
The court granted him bail of RM20,000 for all charges combined and imposed the conditions sought by the prosecution.
The case has been fixed for mention on July 17 for document submission and the appointment of defence counsel.
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