Cops: Pupil made up story about 'assault' at Tawau school

KOTA KINABALU: A Year Four pupil at a primary school in Tawau, who initially claimed that she was injured after being kicked and hit by her teacher, had in fact sustained injuries from a fall outside the school.

Tawau police chief Asst Comm Fadil Marsus (pic) said that the 10-year-old girl made up the story of being hit by the teacher as she feared she would be scolded by her mother.

He said that the girl's classmates also confirmed that the male teacher did not hit the girl as claimed in a police report lodged by the mother on July 10.

"Our investigations showed that the girl fell outside the school and suffered some injuries when she went to a shop,' he said on Wednesday.

ACP Fadil said that the mother has withdrawn her police report and asked police not to pursue further investigations.

"They have also apologised to the teacher concerned and the school," he said in Tawau Wednesday.

Police have also informed the Deputy Public Prosecutor that they will not pursue the case further following the development.

It was earlier reported that the girl had claimed to have suffered leg injuries after she was slapped and kicked by the teacher for coming late to class and not doing her homework.

The girl was given treatment at the Tawau district hospital and the mother lodged a police report following the incident.