A beach boy pleaded not guilty at the George Town Magistrate's Court today on a charge of reckless horse riding and injuring a five year-old girl on June 7.

Mohd Khairi Mohd Nor, 28, was accused of reckless horse riding and causing injuries to Arina Kirana Azrin at about 10.40am on the beach of Hotel Park Royal in Batu Feringghi.

He was charged under Section 338 of the Penal Code for reckless horse riding and endangering human lives and public safety.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Farhana Hashim proposed bail at RM8,000 as the accused had caused injuries to a child, but Mohd Khairi, who was not represented, appealed for the bail to be lowered.

Magistrate Adibah Husna Zainal Abidin fixed bail at RM6,000 and July 8, for the case to be mentioned.

Arina, who was on holiday in Penang with her parents and 12-year-old sister, was building sand castles with her sister when a horse ridden by the beach boy collided with her.

- Bernama