Bella unwell, so identification in court by witness postponed

KUALA LUMPUR: The Identification by a prosecution witness of alleged abuse victim Bella, a teenage girl with Down Syndrome, has been postponed as she is unwell and unable to attend court proceedings here.

Fifth prosecution witness Yasmin Nahar Mahmood was scheduled to be called to identify the girl on Tuesday (May 31).

Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad informed the Sessions Court of Bella's situation when it broke for recess.

She said the teenager's court appearance would be rescheduled to a date that would be fixed later.

"Bella and a few other residents at Rumah Bonda were supposed to be in court today, but because she is not well, the identification has to be postponed,” she said.

ALSO READ: Burn marks on Bella due to hot water from thermos, not dispenser, court hears

However, she said, the proceeding before Sessions Court judge Izralizam Sanusi would continue with re-examination by the prosecution of Yasmin Nahar, 19, who also stays at welfare home Rumah Bonda

Bella’s case went viral on social media last year when a woman claimed that the teenager was scalded by hot water and was tied up while staying at Rumah Bonda.

ALSO READ: Bella case: Lawyers holding watching brief urge court to expedite hearing

Following this, Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali was charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing the teenage girl, causing the girl to suffer physical and emotional injuries.

The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here between February and June last year, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000 or both, upon conviction. – Bernama