Welder held for allegedly injuring two stepsons with mosquito swatter

SIBU: A welder has been arrested for allegedly beating his two stepsons with a mosquito swatter, resulting in the two boys being warded in hospital.

Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said they had detained the 48-year old suspect for investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.

He said the case came to light at about 10am on May 8 when the 41-year-old mother of the boys, sent the elder child, aged seven, to hospital to make an appointment for his head injury.

"Two days later, while a doctor of the hospital was examining the boy, the child told his mother that the suspect had hit him and his five-year-old sibling with a mosquito swatter on May 4 at the workers' quarters of a shipyard," ACP Stanley said Sunday (May 12).

The boys' mother, who is a coffeeshop helper, had married the suspect according to the Iban custom four years ago after the death of her first husband.

"The woman was aware that the suspect had previously assaulted her two sons but the injury was not serious.

"She had not lodged a police report then as she wanted to give him another chance," said ACP Stanley.

He added that the suspect had admitted to beating the two boys on May 4 using the mosquito swatter, claiming that they were naughty.

The boys have been admitted to hospital where the elder child is seeking treatment for an injury to his eyes while the other had an old scar on his back.