Maid gets 20 years' jail for attempted murder of baby

KUANTAN: An Indonesian maid was sentenced to a total of 20 years' jail by the Sessions Court here after she pleaded guilty to attempting to murder and abusing a four-month-old baby boy last Friday.

A closed circuit television recording showed her throwing down the baby nine times.

Judge Mohd Azhar Othman, when handing down the sentence Tuesday on Yuliana (pix), 23, said the offence committed was very serious and had a huge impact not only on the victim's family, but also on society.

"Your action has resulted in society being afraid and not having a peace of mind when leaving their children with their maids.

"The court feels that the sentence is commensurate with the offence committed and be a lesson to you," he added.

Yuliana, from Sukarame in Acheh, had only just started work as a maid with the victim's family when she committed the offences.

Earlier, when a recording of her action was shown in the court, Yuliana, clad in an orange lock-up uniform, did not show any reaction or facial expression.

However, in mitigation, she said, "I'm afraid".

Yuliana, who has two children, was charged with throwing and hurling the baby, Mohamed Hareez Mohamed Zamri, nine times, an act which could cause death, at 7.45am on Feb 15 at 7 Lorong Bukit Setongkol 38, Jalan Bukit Setongkol here.

The charge was made under Section 307 (1) of the Penal Code for attempted murder, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years upon conviction.

She was also charged under Section 31(1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 with abusing the child at the same place and time.

Yuliana was sentenced to 15 years' jail on the first count and five years on the second count.

However, Mohd Azhar ordered the jail sentences to be served concurrently from the date of her arrest.

Prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamed.

According to the facts of the case, at 7.45am on the day of the incident, Mohamed Hareez's parents were out having breakfast when they watched their son being thrown and hurled by the maid through a closed circuit camera recording on their handphone.

The boy's mother, Nina Suraya Sulaiman, 24, then called a neighbour for help and rushed home with her husband, who contacted the police.

The maid was arrested at 9.15am the same day. - Bernama