KOTA KINABALU: A debt over plumbing repairs is believed to have led a man to slash a 16-year-old girl in Penampang near here.
Initial investigations found that the 29-year-old suspect went to the girl’s house on Thursday afternoon looking for her sister-in-law to demand the remaining payment for pipe repair works, said Penampang OCPD Supt Sammy Newton.
The teenager was at home with her young nephew, whom she was babysitting, while her sister-in-law was at work.
“She was holding a knife, as she was preparing food in the kitchen, when the man showed up. The suspect claimed she uttered harsh words, which angered him.
“He then grabbed the knife from the girl’s hand before slashing her neck and pushing her against the bathroom wall, causing injuries to her head and neck,” he said in a statement.
The victim, who is a foreigner, is in stable condition and receiving treatment at Hospital Queen Elizabeth here.
Supt Sammy said the suspect fled the scene but was arrested at about 5.50pm on the same day.
He was found hiding in some bushes near Jalan Pekan Kinarut Lama, Papar. Checks revealed that he has no identification documents. He also tested positive after a preliminary urine screening for methamphetamine.
The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
