The accused pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before magistrate Ibrahim Ghulam in the Kuala Selangor magistrates’ court, Sinar Harian reported.

The boy, the youngest of three siblings, was charged with committing the offence on the 15-year-old girl in a classroom at about 9.30am on Oct 13.

The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for up to 20 years in prison and whipping if convicted.

Since he is a minor above the age of 14, he can be sent to prison if convicted.

Alternatively, he can be punished with a fine, an order to pay compensation or costs, or be sent to a Henry Gurney school.

Deputy public prosecutor Azamuddin Razak proposed bail at RM6,000 given the seriousness of the offence, but lawyer Aina Suraya Ahmad Nor Hisham sought a lower amount, saying her client needed to receive treatment for being injured in a road accident.

Aina said the boy had suffered a broken leg and bleeding in the brain. His father only earns RM500 a month working as a farmer.

The court fixed bail at RM2,000 and set Dec 1 for case mention.