An 82-year-old prominent businessman and Datuk in the oil and gas industry in Miri has pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two charges of raping an underaged girl in two separate locations in Miri City.

For the first offence, Ibrahim Ahmad Darvesh Mohd Deen or better known as Ibrahim Din was accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in a room at a budget hotel located at Taman Jade Manis here on Aug 31 this year at 12.40 am.

He was charged under section 376 (2)(D) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 30 years and whipping upon conviction.

For the second offence, the accused was charged with raping the same victim in a room at a budget hotel on Jalan Masjid in Miri on Sept 11, this year at 8 pm.

The accused was charged under section 376(1) of the same code that provides an imprisonment up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.

The accused appeared calm when the two charges were read before Session Court judge Steve Ritikos.

Ritikos then fixed Oct 19 as case management while March 5 to 9 next year for the trial of the case.

He also allowed the accused to be released on RM15,000 bail with two local sureties.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Mohd Izzat Wan Abdullah appeared for the prosecution while the accused was represented by counsel Ranbir Singh.

- Bernama