KENINGAU: A couple involved in a recent abuse case in Sabah was charged in the magistrate's court here for causing hurt to two boys under their care.
The man aged 27 and the woman aged 36 pleaded guilty to their respective charges before Magistrate Flavian Edward Henry.
The man faced two charges for causing hurt to the two boys – aged 13 and an undocumented five-year-old, between March 24 and 30, at a rented room in Pekan Keningau.
The offences under Section 323 carry a jail term of up to one year or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
The woman faced three charges against her. The first charge stated that she allegedly had caused hurt to the young undocumented boy at the same time and place.
For the other two charges, she was accused of causing injury to the two boys using an iron also at the same time and place.
For causing injury using a weapon, the punishment provides a jail term of up to 10 years or with a fine or with whipping or any two of such punishments, upon conviction under Section 324 of the Penal Code.
The court fixed May 17 for the next mention, pending the full medical report on the two victims.
The man was offered RM2,500 bail for each charge while the woman's bail was set at RM6,000 per charge for the Section 324 charges and RM4,000 for the other charge.
Both of the accused, who were unrepresented, were unable to post bail.
It was also learnt that the couple was not married.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ramona Albert prosecuted the cases.
It was reported that the couple was arrested following a police report lodged by a man who encountered the 13-year-old boy selling burgers on April 2.
The man observed injuries on the child's body, resembling those inflicted by an iron.
Further investigation found that another five-year-old boy had also been abused.
Neither victim has any biological relation to the couple; the older boy is the stepson of the woman, while the younger child is adopted.
