IPOH: A brand new date has been set by the High Court right here for former state govt councillor member Paul Yong to enter his defence on a rape cost after he got here into close contact with a Covid-19 optimistic case.
Yong’s lead counsel Datuk Rajpal Singh knowledgeable the court docket that his shopper and his wife Too Choon Looi had been in close contact with a member of the family after visiting her for Chinese New Year.
Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 15 and 16) had been set for Paul to enter his defence for allegedly raping his Indonesian helper greater than two years in the past.
Rajpal knowledgeable the court docket that each Yong and his wife had visited his sister-in-law who examined optimistic on Saturday (Feb 12).
“So both my client and his wife are on self-quarantine at home as their MySejahtera status has turned to orange.
“So with Omicron spreading real fast, and my client and his wife, who are the main two witnesses are unable to attend the proceedings, we are requesting for new dates,” he mentioned.
State prosecution director Azlina Rashdi mentioned she had no objection as the rationale for the postponement was a sound one.
Judge Datuk Abdul Wahab Mohamed then fastened March 16, 30 and 31.
Rajpal additionally mentioned that he had interviewed the prosecution’s provided witness on Tuesday, however they wanted one other day to interview the identical safety guard who noticed the sufferer leaving the guardhouse, as they wished to point out him some CCTV footage.
He mentioned each the witness statements from Yong and his wife have been submitted to the prosecution on Jan 31.
On Dec 7, Yong was ordered to enter his defence for allegedly raping the helper greater than two years in the past.
Justice Abdul Wahab had dominated that there was a prima facie case in opposition to Yong after considering all of the proof submitted all through the trial.
Yong, who’s the Tronoh assemblyman, was ordered to enter his defence on Feb 15 and 16, and he had chosen to offer his assertion below oath with a witness assertion.
On Aug 23, 2019, Yong claimed trial on the Ipoh Sessions Court to a cost of raping his then 23-year-old maid.
The offence was allegedly dedicated in a room on the highest ground of his home in Meru Desa Park between 8.15pm and 9.15pm on July 7 that 12 months.
He was charged below Section 376(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a time period of imprisonment for as much as 20 years and is liable to whipping, if discovered responsible.
On Dec 15 final 12 months, the Federal Court allowed an utility by the defence crew to switch the case to the High Court.
