Former taekwondo claims trial to four sexual offence charges involving underage girls

In Kota Bharu, a former taekwondo coach named Soufa Pinyousos, 42, appeared in court on Monday to deny four sexual offence charges involving underage girls. Pinyousos pleaded not guilty, with the charges read before Judge Zulkifli Abdullah. Three of the charges, outlined under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, involved physical contact and sexual assault against three girls aged 13, 13.7, and 14 years old at a taekwondo facility in Jalan Pengkalan Chepa.

The fourth charge under Section 14(b) also detailed physical sexual assault against the same girl. The incidents are alleged to have occurred at the training club on September 2017, April 2025, August 20, 2025, and February 17-18 this year. Prison sentences of up to 20 years with whipping could be handed down if convicted. Prosecutors Siti Arina Razali and Kamarul Hasyime Rosli represented the government, while Pinyousos was represented by lawyers Muhammad Arif Mohd Zain and Zubairi Salleh.

The prosecution requested bail of RM30,000 for the first charge, but opposed bail for the other three, with Arif suggesting a lower amount due to his client's dismissal from the club and lack of income. The court granted bail of RM20,000 with one local surety, ordering Pinyousos to surrender his passport, report to the Pengkalan Chepa police station, and refrain from further harassment of the victims and prosecution witnesses. The case was set for mention on November 26, and Pinyousos posted bail.