TAIPING: A married couple pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court on Monday (Oct 15) to abusing a six-year-old boy.
The 48-year-old man, who is the victim's biological father, and his 33-year-old wife, the boy’s stepmother, made their plea before Judge Nabisha Ibrahim.
They were charged with exposing the child to physical injury at a house in Ladang Kalumpang, Bagan Serai, between February and Oct 10 this year.
The couple faces charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Upon conviction, they could face a maximum fine of RM20,000, imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ng Yan Yi did not offer bail to the accused, citing concerns that they might disturb the victim, who is still residing with them.
Lawyer Varpal Singh Sago, representing the couple through the National Legal Aid Foundation, applied for bail of RM5,000 for each accused. He stated that the male accused works as a mechanic with a monthly income of RM2,200 and is supporting four children, while the woman is suffering from depression and receiving psychiatric treatment at Parit Buntar Hospital.
The court did not grant bail for the male accused but ordered his wife to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The case was set for mention on Nov 14. – Bernama
