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'Rapist' wants to marry victim
20/06/2006 10:54 - (SA)
Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian man charged with rape asked a court to postpone his trial by a month, saying he needed the time to woo his future bride - his alleged victim, a news report said on Tuesday.
Hariol Azmi Mohmmed Shah, 28, a quality control assistant, told the court on Monday that he was not trying to avoid being punished, but that he genuinely wants to marry the victim, a teenager, the New Straits Times reported.
"I need more time to discuss marriage plans with her," Hariol was quoted as saying.
'Marriage is not a joke'
Sessions court judge Azimah Omar turned down Hariol's appeal for a one-month delay in his trial, which is set for November 6.
"Marriage is not a joke," Azimah told the accused at the court in Shah Alam town near Kuala Lumpur. "Once you are freed from the charge I just may see you divorcing her within a month."
Azimah warned that even if the young woman, a kindergarten teacher, agreed to marry Hariol, that was no guarantee that the rape charge against him would be dropped.
Prison and caning
Hariol was charged with raping the teenager on July 4, 2004, in a car in Shah Alam. He has pleaded innocent.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail and caning.
The report could not be independently confirmed and court officials were not immediately available.
The New Straits Times gave no other details of the case or alleged attack, including whether Hariol had known the teenager before the rape.
- AP
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