Couple plead not guilty to abusing 6-year-old son who died

A man and his wife pleaded not guilty in the Ampang Magistrate's Court here on Monday to a charge of abusing their six-year-old son, ultimately causing his death, last month.

Zuhairy Kasim, 38, and Nor Zuliana Tahir, 32, were jointly charged with committing the offence against Muhammad Akhil Mustaqim Rasidy, Nor Zuliana's son from her first marriage, at their home at the Permai Ria apartments, in Tasik Permai, Ampang, around 12.30 pm between May 23 and 26.

During mitigation for bail, deputy public prosecutor Goh Ai Rene did not offer bail as it was a serious and non-bailable offence.

However, Zuhairy's lawyer Badrul Munir Mohd Bukhari urged the court to allow bail on the grounds that his client had two small children with the second accused.

Nor Zuliana's counsel, Donny Abdullah, pleaded for bail for Nor Zuliana as she was five months pregnant and had six children, including four children from a previous marriage.

Magistrate Ayuni Izzati Sulaiman denied bail for both the accused and fixed July 18 for mention.

Meanwhile, at the Ampang Sessions Court, Nor Zuliana claimed trial to a charge of causing the death of her son. She was charged with committing the offence at the same place and time.

Her lawyer Donny Abdullah, made a similar application for bail in the Sessions court.

However, Judge Unaizah Mohd set the case for tomorrow to decide whether to grant bail or not.

Goh also appeared for the prosecution.

According to media reports, Mohammad Akhil died of severe scalding from alleged abuse by his mother and step-father last month.