Actor Farid claims trial to assault charges

PETALING JAYA: Popular actor and director Datuk Farid Kamil Zahari today pleaded not guilty to four charges of causing hurt to a policeman and a civilian at a police station here last week.
Clad in a grey shirt and jeans, he was relaxed and managed a smile when he was surrounded by a horde of media personnel upon his arrival at 10.40am.
His wife, Datin Diana Danielle, who is also a popular actress, was present during the 15-minute court proceeding.
Farid was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code with assaulting police constable Mohamad Nizam Jamaluddin and civilian Ashraf Ahmad, which is punishable by a jail term of up to a year, a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
The actor was also charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duties, which is punishable under Section 353 of the same law.
Prosecutors further proffered an additional charge for disorderly conduct under Section 90 of the Police Act, which carries a maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment, a fine, or a combination of the two upon conviction.
Farid is accused of committing the offences at the Kota Damansara police station at 1.20pm on Jan 11.
Deputy public prosecutor Fazeedah Faik asked the court to set bail at RM20,000 for all charges.
However, Farid's lawyer Athari Bahardin, pleading for minimum bail, said his client was the sole breadwinner for his family.
"He also has to support his elderly parents," he said.
The actor was eventually granted bail at RM12,000 for all four charges.
The court fixed Mar 5 for mention.