Kota Kinabalu: A 38-year-old man was ordered to enter his defence on a charge for abusing his stepson.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus made the order against Julmuri Ebba, after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
The court set April 3 and 4 for Julmari’s defence.
Julmuri is accused of abusing the six-year-old boy by burning his left thigh with cigarette butt between 7pm and midnight on Nov 10, 2019 at a house in Jalan Bypass, Penampang.
The offence under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001 provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, or fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution had called seven witnesses during the hearing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman conducted the prosecution while counsel Mohd Ari-Nadzrah defended Julmuri.
Julmuri was further remanded pending the disposal of his case.
In another case, a 36-year-old mechanic was jailed 12 months for dishonestly keeping a stolen motorcycle.
Mohd Azlen Matdarin pleaded guilty before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie to committing the offence at 5.20pm on March 3 at Kg Petagas, Putatan.
During mitigation, counsel Lawrence Lim who defended Mohd Azlen, asked for leniency.
Lim informed the court that Mohd Azlen was offered to paint the motorcycle for RM150 and accepted RM50 as deposit.
He claimed that Mohd Azlen was arrested while painting the motorcycle.
Inspector Suzie Kupit urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence.
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