Man charged in three courts with physically abusing wife, seven of nine kids

GEORGE TOWN: A 42-year-old man pleaded not guilty to seven charges of abusing seven of his nine children at two separate Sessions Courts here.

The trader's assistant at a local market here was charged with inflicting injuries and negligence to seven of his children, aged from five to 14 years old, between January and December last year (2021) at their apartment in Jelutong, Penang.

He claimed trial to all charges before Judges Mazdi Abdul Hamid and Norsalha Hamzah in separate Sessions Courts in George Town here on Tuesday (Jan 11).

The charges, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, provide for a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both if found guilty.

The cases were prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutors (DPP) Rais Imran Hamid and Muhammad Shahrezal Mohd Shukri, while the accused was represented by Md Yusuf Md Idris.

Bail was set at RM60,000 for the seven charges with one surety and on condition that the accused surrender his passport and report to the nearest police station on the first and 15th of every month.

Additionally, he was prohibited from living in the same home as his wife and children.

The court then ordered the accused, his relatives and representatives not to approach and harass the victims.

At a Magistrate's Court here on the same day, the accused pleaded not guilty to a seperate charge of causing bodily injury to his 42-year-old wife before Magistrate Rosnee Mohd Radzuan.

Based on the charge sheet, he is charged with injuring her neck and limbs at the same location during the same period of time.

He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.

The charge carries imprisonment of up to two years or a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both, if found guilty.

DPP Syairah Aqilah Khalil prosecuted while the accused was represented by Muhamad Asri Abdul Hamid.

Bail was set at RM3,000 while he was ordered to keep a distance and not harass his wife.

Case mention for all eight charges has been set for Feb 11.

On Jan 1 this year, the 42-year-old man was arrested after his wife lodged a report of being abused.

His wife told police that she and their nine children, aged from one to 14 years old, had been abused by the accused.