KOTA KINABALU: Suspended Star member, Philip Among pleaded not guilty to the charge of molesting an Unduk Ngadau contestant and another woman at the Magistrate’s Court here on Thursday.
Phillip, 52 who was this year’s technical head for Unduk Ngadau competition, denied to the five charges against him in front of Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun.
Four of the charges were for allegedly molesting one of this year’s Unduk Ngadau contestants at four different hours on May 19.
The offence allegedly took place at a staircase next to Ever Best Photo in Asia City, in Studio Darvel Bay Borneo Holidays Sdn Bhd in Asia City, in a moving vehicle from a dinner place to an old office in the city and in an office in Metro Town.
Phillip was also accused of molesting an 18-year-old woman at the living room of Jesselton Capsule Inn in Asia City at 11pm on April 17 this year.
The court set July 14, 21 and 22 for pre-trial case management and released Phillip on a bail of RM8,000 on each case with two sureties.
The court also ordered Phillip’s passport to be impounded by the prosecution and only be returned after the disposal of the case.
Magistrate Jessica also ordered Phillip to report himself to the nearest police station once a month and that Phillip and/or his representative is restricted to communicate with the victim and/or the victims’ family, until the disposal of the case.
Using criminal force intending to outrage the modesty of a woman, falls under Section 354 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years, or with fine or with whipping or with any two of such punishments, on conviction.
Representing Philip were Marcel Jude Joseph and Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah while Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Amirah Muhammad Ali prosecuted.
Philip was seen leaving the court complex in later in the afternoon after posting the bails totalling RM40,000 for the five charges.-BorneoGazette
