KOTA KINABALU: A local man was sentenced to three years’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday for physically abusing his seven-year-old stepson, last month.
Kenny Simon, 29, admitted before magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus to having injured the boy at a house at Kampung Ramayah in Penampang on Oct 29.
He was convicted under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 which is punishable by a fine of up to RM20,000 or a maximum 10 years’ jail or both, upon conviction.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Azaman Hamat told the court that the accused had asked the victim to take a plate of rice for him, but when the victim came to him, he only brought an empty plate, causing the accused to become angry and beat the victim on his body and hands.
During the incident the accused admitted that he was under the influence of alcohol.
In pleading for a light sentence, counsel Intan Timor Shamsuddin, who defended the accused submitted that her client was a first offender.
He felt remorse with what he had done to his stepchild and wished to turn over a new leaf.
In reply, Azaman urged the court to impose a heavier sentence on the accused person taking into account the interest of the victim as well as the interest of the victim’s mother.
The accused and the victim’s mother had been married for five years and the wife came to the court yesterday.
The victim’s mother said her son has an appointment with Hospital Mesra, Bukit Padang, to check if there was any impact suffered by her son because of the incident.
Balitus ordered the accused to serve his jail term with effect from yesterday.