A primary school male teacher in Serian claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to 14 charges of sexual offences involving five male pupils, this year.

Lai Chee Hiang, 37, claimed trial to all the charges.

He is accused of three counts of carnal intercourse against the order of nature with a boy aged 11, inside the Students Affairs office of the school between May and August.

The charges are framed under Section 377B of the Penal Code which carries a jail sentence that may extend to 20 years and liable to whipping upon conviction.

He is accused of three counts of molesting the same pupil inside a classroom at the same school between May and August.

The charges are framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act 2017, read with section 16(1) of the same Act, which carries a jail sentence not exceeding 20 years and liable to whipping upon conviction.

On another charge, Lai allegedly attempted to outrage the modesty of another boy aged 10 in a storeroom of the school in August, as charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act 2017, read with Section 16(1) of the same Act and Section 511 of the Penal Code upon conviction.

He is accused of one charge of molesting an 11-year-old boy and two counts involving a 10-year-old boy, who he also allegedly incited to commit an act of gross indecency, under Section 377E of the Penal Code, which carries a jail sentence that may extend to five years and liable to whipping upon conviction.

Lai allegedly committed the offences inside a classroom in August.

He is further accused molesting a boy aged 12, who he also allegedly incited to commit an act of gross indecency inside a classroom in August.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Azhari Yusof objected to bail for the accused while Lai's counsel KC Wong contended that the charges faced by his client were bailable offences.

Judge Shafiza Abdul Razak Tready denied bail and fixed Oct 25 for re-mention at Samarahan Sessions Court. -- Bernama