Domestic abuse: Super League player charged with hitting girlfriend, destroying phone

PETALING JAYA: A 31-year-old football player has claimed trial at a Magistrate's Court here for allegedly hitting his girlfriend in an incident at a hotel earlier this month.

Mohd Rizal Mohd Ghazali was accused of causing injury to Hani Farhana Hasrul Sani, 37, by hitting her.

According to the charge sheet, the incident allegedly took place at a hotel room in Petaling Jaya at about 6am on June 7.

The charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a maximum two-year imprisonment or a fine of up to RM2,000 or both, upon conviction.

Mohd Rizal, who is playing defence with the Sabah Football Club, was also slapped with a second charge of allegedly committing mischief by destroying Hani Farhana's handphone in the same incident.

The estimated cost of damage is RM4,500.

The charge was framed under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Mohd Rizal faces imprisonment of up to three months or fine or both, if convicted.

The footballer appeared calm after the charges were read out and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Maryam Jamilah Md Kamal offered bail at RM7,000 for both charges with the additional condition that the accused must not harass the victim and prosecution witnesses.

Lawyer Datuk Suraj Singh, who represented Mohd Rizal, told the court that the bail amount was too high and asked for a lower amount.

He said his client was released on police bail without any sureties and came to court on his own as soon as he was told to do so.

"He is a football player who supports his parents. There is no risk of him absconding.

"The bail amount is meant to ensure presence in court and not punitive," Suraj said.

Magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah fixed bail at RM3,500 in one surety and ordered the accused not to harass the victim and witnesses.

The case is fixed for mention on Aug 24.