JOHOR BARU, June 15 — A 27-year-old religious school teacher claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today after he was charged with sexually assaulting a student on several occasions early this year and also late last year.

Mohamad Hamzi Mohd Kasmadi pleaded not guilty after the three charges against him were read separately before Judge Siti Noraidi Sulaiman.

According to the charge sheet, the accused was accused of physically sexually assaulting a 16-year-old male student.

Mohamad Hamzi, who is also a dormitory warden, is accused of committing the act at the tahfiz school’s dormitory room in Benut, Pontian in July and November last year and the latest being last March.

He is charged under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017 which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and can also be subject to whipping, if convicted.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Fadilah Johanuddin offered Mohamad Hamzi a bail of RM20,000, with the additional condition that the accused must refrain from interrupting the victim or the prosecution’s witness until the case is complete.

In addition, the accused has to report to the nearest police station and surrender his international passport to the court.

However, defence counsel Omar Kutty Abdul Aziz requested for the bail amount to be reduced since the accused, who earns RM1,800 a month, is supporting his wife who is pregnant with their first child.

The court then allowed the accused bail at RM18,000 for all three charges, with one surety and additional conditions.

The court has set July 23 as the date for re-mention of the case and submission of documents.