SIBU: A 43-year-old single father who faced two charges of physical abuse against his children was today sentenced to a total fine of RM24,000, in default six months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here.
Sessions Court Judge Marutin Pagan fined David Ting Chai Lung from Ulu Sungai Merah RM12,000 in default three months’ jail for each charge.
Ting pleaded no contest to the two charges preferred to him by Deputy Public Prosecutor Rex Heng Yi Min.
The first charge stated that the accused as a person taking care of his 12 years and two months old biological son was found to have abused him in a manner likely to cause physical injury at his residence in Ulu Sungai Merah on August 6.
The second charge mentioned that he was found to have physically abused his biological daughter aged eight years and one month under his care on the same day and place.
In presenting the fact of case, Heng told the Court that a school headmaster (the complainant) has been
informed by his Senior Assistant of Student Affairs and Counselling on the performance of three students who are siblings.
On August 8 at about 8.30am, the duo went to the home of the three siblings to investigate on their absence from school.
Upon arrival at the victim’s house, the complainant interviewed all the three victims who showed bruises on their hands and thighs.
The complainant then lodged a police report as he suspected the three victims had been abused by their single father.
In furtherance of the report and investigation, the accused was arrested at about 1.11pm on August 8.
Based on initial investigation, the first victim is a child aged 12 years old, the second victim is eight years old and the third victim is six years old.
The accused is the biological father of the victims.
Police investigation revealed that the three victims were often beaten and annoyed by the accused.
Heng said the accused was found to have caused the victims to suffer multiple bruises on the body, and the victims were sent for medical examination.
“Based on the witnesses’ statement and examination by the medical specialist, the accused has committed an offence punishable under Section 31(1) (a) Child Act 2001 (Amendment 2016),” Heng added.
Under the Act, the offence provides for a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to an imprisonment term of not more than 20 years or both.
Ting who was unrepresented, has to serve the default sentence as he could not pay the fine.
