BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Magistrates’ Court has adjourned the case of a 30-year-old man accused of molesting a school boy for a month while it awaits the defendant’s medical details.

During the proceedings yesterday, Defence Counsel Yusof Halim, who represented the defendant Hammirol Awang Hamidon, told the court that his client is currently receiving medical assistance from the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital.

The defence lawyer for Hammirol said the defendant is undergoing two treatments at the hospital - medical and counselling.

While prosecuting officer Shamshuddin Hj Kamaluddin did not raise an objection for the month-long adjournment, he hoped this would be the last as the case needs to move on.

Hammirol is claiming trial to the outraging modesty charge which allegedly occurred on October 21, in a school at Kg Rimba.

The defendant is accused of using criminal force on 10-year-old Mr X, by molesting the boy and forcing the boy to touch the defendant’s private parts.

The penalty under Section 354 of the Penal Code carries a five-year jail term with whipping.

During the proceedings yesterday before Senior Magistrate Lailatul Zubaidah Hj Mohd Hussain, the court allowed the defence counsel’s application for the one-month adjournment.

The defendant has been released on court bail pending the next mention of the case on March 4.

The Brunei Times