BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ADDITIONAL charges were filed yesterday against a man already facing one count of outraging a woman’s modesty.

During the proceedings yesterday, the defendant Mohamad Ashri Hj Pungut, 44, is now facing another charge of outraging the modesty of the 40 year-old woman on May 31, when the defendant is accused of grabbing her buttocks; assaulting the woman when the defendant hit her head twice with a flashlight and; a charge of public indecency when he pulled down his shorts to reveal his underwear in front of an audio store on May 15.

Ashri claimed trial to all of the four charges yesterday after he entered his not guilty pleas.

The prosecuting officer Shamshuddin Hj Kamaluddin indicated to the court that he has 12 prosecution witnesses who will give evidence during the trial.

Meanwhile, Ashri said he has two defence witnesses to prove his case.

Ashri will be seeking for his release after his bail was revoked for breaching one of the bail conditions when he approached the complainant. He told the court yesterday in asking for a second chance that he has five children who depend on his support and wishes to celebrate the upcoming Hari Raya Aidil Fitri with them.

A further mention of the case will be held on June 29, to set trial dates. Meanwhile, Ashri will be further remanded at Jerudong Prison pending the next session.

The Brunei Times