KUCHING: A mother was fined RM20,000 or 12 months’ jail by the Sessions Court here, yesterday, after pleading guilty to abusing her daughter.
Safina John, 27, pleaded guilty to stabbing her 10-year old daughter with a broken glass and hitting her with a stick until she was seriously injured in a flat in Siburan, at about 8 pm on May 19 this year.
She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children’s Act 2001 (Amendment 2016) Act 611, which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or both upon conviction.
Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman also ordered the accused be placed on two years of good behaviour bond and to undergo community service for 60 hours for a period of six months.
At the time of the incident, the complainant who was a neighbour living in the same flat heard a noise and decided to go and see what was happening and found the girl (victim) had been beaten by her mother.
Other neighbours also tried to stop Safina from beating her daughter.
The girl, who suffered serious injuries, was taken to hospital for treatment. She had shards of glass stuck at her back that had to be removed surgically.
The complainant made a police report for further action and investigation to be taken which led to the arrest of the accused a day after the incident.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian prosecuted the case while the accused was not represented by legal counsel.
