Passers-by help nab man who tried to rape woman in Kluang public toilet

KLUANG: An unemployed man has been detained by members of the public for allegedly trying to rape a woman inside a public toilet at Laman Kreatif Kampung Melayu here.

Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said police were notified that a 34-year-old man had been detained at around 5.50pm on Tuesday (Dec 17) evening for attempted rape.

“At around 5.20pm on the same date, a 24-year-old woman, who works as a trader, entered the public toilet where she noticed that one of the cubicles was locked but did not suspect anything as she wanted to use the toilet.

“When the victim was about to enter one of the cubicles, the suspect came out from the locked toilet and ordered the victim to be quiet.

“When she tried to leave, the suspect immediately locked the main door,” he said here on Wednesday (Dec 18).

ACP Bahrin added that the victim then screamed for help as the suspect approached her and used his body weight to make the victim fall to the floor.

He said the suspect then placed his face on the victim’s chest while his left hand has wrapped around the victim’s waist and his right hand tried to cover her mouth.

“The victim was scared and bit the suspect’s arm and scratched his face before managing to flee the toilet and alert passers-by, who apprehended the suspect.

“The police then arrested the suspect at the location,” he said, adding that a check on the suspect found that he had a criminal record with nine prior offences, including six criminal cases.

ACP Bahrin said the suspect would be brought to a Kluang Magistrate’s Court later Wednesday for the remand process.