BUTTERWORTH, April 23 — A police officer pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of cheating a woman of RM3,500 in cash three years ago.

Inspector Fazli Salim, 33, who worked at the Seberang Perai Tengah Police District Headquarters Commercial Crime Investigation Division, was alleged to have cheated Noor Diana Hanafiah by asking for RM3,500 to withdraw a police report faced by the woman.

Fazli was alleged to have asked for the cash on behalf of the complainant, Rosli Mohamad, 56, who had lodged a police report against Noor Diana.

However, the actual amount demanded by Rosli to withdraw the police report was RM1,700.

The accused was alleged to have committed the offence at the police district headquarters' Criminal Investigation Division on March 2, 2011 at 3.05pm and was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of not less than 10 years, whipping and fine upon conviction.

Judge Julie Lack allowed the accused to be released on a bail of RM10,000 with one surety before the case is brought for a re-mention next May 22.

The prosecution was conducted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Ghazali Mohamad Nadzri while Fazli was unrepresented. — Bernama