KUCHING: A married couple claimed trial in separate Sessions Courts here today to a charge of neglecting to properly supervise their seven-year-old son, whose alleged actions resulted in another child falling from their residence and sustaining fractures.
The 39-year-old husband appeared before Judge Iris Awen Jon, while his wife, 38, appeared before Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar.
Both pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 33(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a fine of up to RM20,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
According to the charge, the couple, as parents of seven-year-old child, allegedly failed to make reasonable provision for the supervision and care of their son at about 4 pm on July 8 at a residence in Tabuan Park, Jalan Setia Raja.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng, appearing for the prosecution in Mazlan’s case, told the court that the neglect charge arose after the couple’s son allegedly pushed another child from a second-or third-floor area following a dispute over money.
The court was informed that the accused’s son had allegedly asked the victim for money, but the victim refused.
An argument allegedly ensued before the victim was pushed from the window.
The seven-year-old victim reportedly sustained two bone fractures and minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
During mitigation for bail, the husband, who was unrepresented, told the court that he works as a lorry driver earning RM1,800 a month, while his wife is employed as a cleaner.
He also informed the court that he only has one proposed surety, his sister, who works as a dispatch worker, and appealed for a lower bail amount.
The husband further told the court that he hoped the matter could be settled outside the court.
Judge Iris advised him to engage legal counsel before the next court date and granted him bail of RM8,000 with one local surety on an undeposited basis.
In the wife’s case, Deputy Public Prosecutor Adriana Maisarah Mohd Farid appeared for the prosecution.
Judge Noorhisham similarly granted her bail of RM5,000 with one local surety on an undeposited basis.
Both courts fixed Aug 28 for pre-trial case management and for the appointment of defence counsel.
