Kota Kinabalu: The prosecution has closed its case against five teenage girls who claimed trial at the Children’s Court over allegations that they uttered abusive words against Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Counsel Joan Goh, who represents one of the teenagers, said the court had fixed Nov 16 for submissions and Nov 30 for replies.
Goh said the court had also scheduled Dec 4 for clarification, after which a date would be fixed for a ruling on whether a prima facie case had been established against the five teenagers.
More than 20 witnesses testified during the hearing, Goh said, adding that not all child witnesses testified in the Children’s Court. Zara’s mother also did not testify.
The five teenagers are accused of uttering abusive words directed at Zara, which were allegedly heard by the victim and could have caused her distress.
The alleged offence took place between 10pm and 11pm on July 15.
They were jointly charged under Section 507C(1), read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which concerns the use or making of threatening, abusive or insulting words or communications likely to cause a person to feel harassed, distressed, fearful or alarmed.
The offence carries a maximum jail term of one year, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Goh, together with counsels Datuk Ram Singh and Elmer Prem Gunasan, represented one of the teenagers.
The other four were represented by counsels Azhier Farhan Arisin, Abdul Fikry Jaafar, Fareez Salleh and Sylyester Kuan.
All counsels representing the five teenagers acted pro bono.
