KUALA PILAH: A couple and their 21-year-old daughter have claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of abusing a five-year-old girl who had been under their care.
The 42-year-old man and his 41-year-old wife are the victim’s grand-uncle and grand-aunt.
The trio were charged before judge Norma Ismail.
They allegedly used a cane and had splashed hot water on the victim, who suffered multiple injuries.
The abuse was allegedly committed between July 15 and July 19 at a house in Bandar Seri Jempol.
The suspects were charged under the Child Act 2001 and can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to 20 years, or both, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Amirul Noor Hashimi had told the court the offence was non-bailable but asked that additional conditions be imposed if the court granted bail.
Counsel Haresh Mahadevan told the court the suspects had given themselves up and cooperated with the police.
“All three do not have passports and are not a flight risk.
“The daughter has also been offered a place in a public university and is due to report in next month,” he said.
Haresh, who was assisted by Ramzani Idris, said bail should also be considered as the victim was now living with her mother in Johor Baru and there was no possibility of witness-tampering.
He also appealed for a minimum bail as the man had no permanent job, while his wife was a housewife.
Norma then set bail at RM5,000 with one surety for each of the accused.
The court also fixed Aug 23 for the next case mention.
Police started an investigation into the case after receiving a report from the victim’s mother on July 27, claiming the girl had been abused.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the victim had suffered injuries, swellings and burn marks and had old scars.
Police had prior to this said the victim’s mother had sent the girl to the couple to be cared for as she worked in Johor Baru.
She also paid the couple RM300 a month to look after the girl.
