KUALA TERENGGANU: A married couple have been charged at the Sessions Court here with causing physical harm to a one-year-and-ten-month-old boy.
Labourer Mohammad Saiful Ikhwan Abdul Rahman, 27, and his wife Nor Azila Sharif Ahmad, 30, who are the victim's biological father and stepmother, respectively, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read separately to them before Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli.
They were charged, as persons having custody of the boy, with neglecting him, causing the child to suffer physical harm in Kampung Banggol Manir, between March and Aug 6 this year.
The boy died four days after being admitted to the hospital.
The charge, framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment or a fine of RM50,000 or both upon conviction.
The judge granted the couple bail of RM10,000 with one surety each and ordered them to report to the Manir police station every month. They are also prohibited from disturbing the prosecution witnesses.
The court set Sept 24 for the case mention for the submission of documents and the appointment of lawyers for both suspects.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Aisyah Mohamad appeared for the prosecution. – Bernama
