Lawyer charged with molesting students

KAJANG: A lawyer has claimed trial to a charge of molesting a 22-year-old student and attempting to molest another 20-year-old student at a condominium last week.
Michael Anthony, 33, was charged with outraging the modesty of a college student by touching her buttocks and another charge for attempting to touch another student's breast.
The first charge is under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with a 10-year-jail term and a fine or whipping or both, upon conviction.
The second charge is under the same Section 354 read together with Section 511, and is punishable with 5 years jail with a fine or whipping or both, upon conviction.
Both the offences were allegedly committed at Cypress Condominium, Bandar Sungai Long at about 3.30pm on Nov 1.
Recently, the story of the college students went viral on social media.
Anthony's lawyer Datuk Jerald Gomez sought for an order today from the magistrate's court for the victims not to publish evidence online, but instead give their evidence in court.
The application was allowed.
"In this case, a fact we cannot ignore is that the complainant has sensationalised the case and is giving interviews and making homemade videos, posting them on the internet," said Gomez.
"The accused has not even had a trial or been proven guilty, instead it is 'trial by media' without the accused side of the story.
"Damage has already been done to his life and career. (By) setting a high bail, it would only add to the burden already being carried," he said, adding that Anthony was in police custody for five days.
He said the past record and character of the accused is also a factor to be considered.
Gomez said Anthony is a member of the Malaysian Bar, has worked with Securities Commission, lectured law and now is a practising lawyer.
DPP Natasha Chin Le Jy suggested RM6,000 as bail for each of the charges.
Magistrate Fadzilatul Isma Ahmad Refngah granted RM4,000 bail for the first charge and RM3,800 bail for the second charge.
She also set Dec 9 for mention.