Rape suspect seeks trial delay to marry alleged victim

MALAYSIA: A Malaysian man charged with rape asked a court to postpone his trial by a month, saying he needed the time to woo his future bride - his alleged victim - a news report said Tuesday.

Hariol Azmi Mohmmed Shah, 28, a quality control assistant, told the court Monday that he was not trying to avoid being punished, but that he genuinely wants to marry the victim, a teenager who was not identified, the New Straits Times reported.

"I need more time to discuss marriage plans with her," Hariol was quoted as saying.

"Marriage is not a joke," judge Azimah Omar told the accused at the court in Shah Alam town near Kuala Lumpur. "Once you are freed from the charge I just may see you divorcing her within a month."

Azimah warned that even if the young woman, a kindergarten teacher, agreed to marry Hariol, that was no guarantee that the rape charge against him would be dropped. Hariol was charged with raping the teenager on July 4, 2004, in a car in Shah Alam. He has pleaded innocent.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail and caning.

Azimah set the trial for Nov. 6.

Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday, AP