Lawyer claimed trial to molesting two university students who had related their ordeal in a Facebook video.

KAJANG: A lawyer claimed trial to molesting two university students who had related their ordeal in a Facebook video.

The video, taken at the condominium block where one of the girls lives, later went viral.

Michael Anthony, 33, pleaded not guilty after two charges were read out to him at the magistrate’s court here.

He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code for use of criminal force on a person with intent to outrage modesty, where he allegedly touched the buttocks of Cristal Chua, 22.



He faces a second charge of attempting to commit the same offence on 20-year-old Tammy Ong.

Both incidents were alleged to have taken place at about 3.30pm on Nov 1.

The case gained wide public attention after the two victims put up the video as a warning for other women to be vigilant.

They also uploaded a video clip of the assailant fleeing, which Chua managed to record, and urged netizens to identify the man if they saw him.

Defence counsel Datuk Jerald Gomez in mitigation said the proposed bail set at RM12,000 for both charges was excessive as the accused had a clean record.

“The accused has never before been arrested or charged for any offence. He is a happily married man with a clean record,” he said.

He said the complainants had resorted to “trial by the media” by posting video clips and giving interviews to the press before the police completed their investigation.

Gomez further argued that based on the police report, there was no allegation of violence used or injury sustained by the complainant.

He said the accused had also voluntarily gone to the police upon being notified.

“The accused has not been proven guilty, but the trial by media has not given him a chance to tell his side of the story.

“Damage has already been done to his life and career,” he said.

Magistrate Fadzilatul Isma Ahmad Refngah set bail for the two charges at RM4,000 and RM3,800, respectively, with one surety.

The case has been set for mention on Dec 9.