Homestay operator charged with recording guests bathing

A homestay operator was charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with eight counts of recording three men and five women bathing in the nude using a mini closed circuit television camera.

However, Lim Lai Heng, 42, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Lim is charged with intending to outrage the modesty of the victims, aged between 17 and 53, by intentionally recording them bathing through a mini-CCTV which was installed in the upstairs bathroom of the homestay.

The offences were allegedly committed at Ipoh Garden Homestay, Jalan Pekeliling Tasek, Taman Canning here between 2.30 pm and 11.30 pm on July 27 this year.

The offence, under Section 509 of the Penal Code, carries an imprisonment for up to five years or fine or with both, if found guilty.

Magistrate Haslinda A. Raof set bail at RM28,000 in one surety for all the charges and also told the accused to not go near the victims, else bail would be revoked.

She also set Nov 10 for mention.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Naidatul Athirah Azman, who prosecuted, offered bail at RM10,000 on each charge.

Lim was represented by lawyer Stephen Su.