The 19-year-old was charged in the Kota Kinabalu sessions court with committing the offences on the victim sometime in 2019 and 2024, Daily Express reported.

The charges were framed under Section 376 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Bryan Francis had urged the court not to allow the accused bail as he was a relative of the victim and posed a “risk” to witnesses in the case.

Lawyers acting for the accused pleaded for bail, saying their client is unemployed, had voluntarily come forward to assist in investigations, and also had to care for his parents who were ill.

Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan allowed the accused bail at RM3,000 but ordered him to report to the nearest police station every month and not to have any contact with the victim.