IPOH: A former farmer was charged with raping and molesting his two granddaughters at his house in Chemor near here.



The 72-year-old man was accused of committing the offences at Desa Chemor Permai from June 3 to 6 between 7am and 7pm.



He pleaded not guilty after both charges were read to him before Sessions Court judge Julie Lack Abdullah here on Thursday.



In the first charge under Section 376B of the Penal Code, the elderly man was alleged to have committed incest with his six-year-old granddaughter at the house.



The offence, which is punishable under 376B(1) of the same code, carries a maximum jail term of 30 years and whipping.



For the second charge under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, the accused was accused of molesting his granddaughter's five-year-old sister by inserting his finger into her anus.



If found guilty, the penalty is a jail term of not more than 20 years and whipping.



While mitigating for a lower bail, lawyer Sukhdev Singh said the accused was no longer working and has a monthly income of RM350 from the Welfare Department.



"He has Parkinson's, high blood pressure, piles and hearing problems, and needs treatment and medication daily.



"His wife also passed away on June 3 at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital," Sukhdev said, adding the entire family and relatives were at home with him that day for the funeral rites until June 6.



"His son, a taxi driver, who earns about RM1,000 monthly will post bail," he added.



The judge set bail at RM10,000 for both charges, with an additional condition that the accused cannot have any contact with his grandchildren.



"If he breaches this, the court will rescind the bail," she said, adding that mention was set on Aug 13.



Deputy public prosecutor Naidatul Athirah Azman prosecuted.



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