Babysitter, husband, niece claim trial to child abuse charges

JOHOR BAHRU: A babysitter, her husband and a niece pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court, here today, to two charges of abusing two children aged two and three, last month.

Fazelina Mohd Lias, 37, Mansor Saat, 57, and a 13-year-old girl entered the plea after the charges were read out to them before Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman.

According to the charge, the three who were responsible for the care of the two children had mistreated and caused them to suffer physical injuries.

They were charged with committing the offence at Taman Bukit Kempas on June 10 at about 3pm.

The charge framed under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 provides a maximum fine of RM20,000 or a jail term of not more than 20 years, or both, if convicted.

The court allowed the couple bail of RM8,000 each with one surety while the teenager was released on RM1,500 bail with one surety.

The accused were told to engage a lawyer and the court fixed August 22 for re-mention and submission of report from the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Qaiyyum Ramlan conducted the prosecution while the accused were not represented.

-- BERNAMA