{
  "id": 1887790,
  "title": "Thai worker charged with sexually assaulting teenage cousin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/thai-worker-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-teenage-cousin",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T07:46:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1514534/thai-worker-charged-sexually-assaulting-teenage-cousin"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the Sessions Court in Kota Baru, a 25-year-old Thai plantation worker has been charged with sexually assaulting his 17-year-old female cousin on three separate occasions in May and June. The accused pleaded not guilty to all three charges before Judge Zulkifli Abdullah. According to prosecutors, the alleged incidents took place between 2am and 3am at an unnamed house in Kampung Lepan Anjung, Dabong, Kuala Krai.\n\nThe first charge alleges that the accused engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim with intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desire. He is also accused of performing the same act on June 1 under the same circumstances. The third charge involves the accused allegedly committing the same offence at the same location on June 13. All three charges fall under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which prescribes a maximum 20-year prison sentence and whipping upon conviction.\n\nThe Deputy Public Prosecutor, Syazalia Che Suhaimin, presented the case, while the accused was unrepresented. Deputy Public Prosecutor Syazalia stated that the offences are non-bailable and the accused is a foreigner, hence no bail was granted. The court adjourned until September 20 to allow the accused to appoint a lawyer.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: A Thai plantation worker was charged in the Sessions Court here today with three counts of sexually assaulting his 17-year-old female cousin in May and June.",
  "key_points": [
    "25-year-old Thai worker charged with sexual assault of 17-year-old cousin",
    "Alleged incidents occurred in May and June at Kampung Lepan Anjung, Dabong",
    "Maximum 20-year prison sentence and whipping upon conviction"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The accused's plea of not guilty and the court's decision to adjourn until September 20 allow him to mount a defence against serious charges that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}