Judge, all parties in Bella’s trial visit scene of incident in Wangsa Maju condo

KUALA LUMPUR: The judge and all parties involved in the trial of the founder of Rumah Bonda, who has been charged with neglecting and abusing Bella, a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome, visited the scene of the incident at the victim’s home, a condominium in Wangsa Maju here.

Sessions Court judge Izralizam Sanusi arrived at the location at 10.51am. Deputy public prosecutors Zahida Zakaria, Zilfinaz Abbas, Fazeedah Faik and Nur Aliana Shakira were also present.

The location was heavily guarded by the police and the condominium’s security guards.

The accused, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali was seen travelling in a vehicle driven by her lawyer Nur A'minahtul Mardiah Md Nor. Another lawyer, Asiah Jalil, arrived at the scene separately at about 10am.

The visit ended at 11.50am and they were seen leaving the condominium before heading towards the Courts Complex in Jalan Duta to continue the trial proceedings.

The visit was to allow the court to get a clearer picture or view of the laundry room to better understand the incident cited in the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness, Yasmin Nahar Mahmood, 18, a fellow Rumah Bonda resident.

The defence requested a site visit to the location to allow the court to see the house itself and the size of the laundry room in the condominium unit, as many incidents involving the accused allegedly occurred there.

Reporters, who had waited at the main entrance of the condominium since 9am, were not allowed entry.

Siti Bainun, 30, is currently on trial after pleading not guilty to charges of neglect and abuse under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a 20-year jail sentence or a RM50,000 fine or both if convicted. - Bernama