Babysitter to Be Sentenced On April 17 For Abusing Two Infants

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Sessions Court today fixed April 17 for sentencing a babysitter who pleaded guilty to two counts of abusing two infants at a childcare centre in December last year.

Judge Suhaila Haron set the date for the prosecution to prepare the victims’ medical reports from a government hospital before the court passes sentence on Perada Randai, 27.

“The court requires the victims’ full reports from a government hospital. Therefore, this court has fixed April 17 for sentencing. On the same date, the victim’s mother will read out the impact statement in court,” Suhaila said.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Aisyah Mohamed Zanyuin informed the court that the prosecution had prepared a medical report for one of the victims, a six-month-old baby boy, from a private clinic.

She also said that for the other charge faced by the accused, the Criminal Sessions Court 15 has likewise fixed April 17 for the presentation of case facts and sentencing.

Meanwhile, lawyer Jason Wee, who held a watching brief on behalf of the victims’ parents, told the court that his team had prepared a victim impact statement and requested that it be read by the mother in court on the sentencing date.

After the proceedings, Wee told reporters that the purpose of submitting the victim’s impact statement was to provide clarification and raise public awareness about cases involving infants.

“The victim impact statement is very important because it involves a young baby who cannot speak and is not yet able to walk. Only the parents can provide a statement on what the baby went through as a result of this incident,” he said.

On Jan 8, Perada pleaded guilty, as a person entrusted with the care of a nine-month-old baby girl, to committing abuse by slapping the infant’s cheek and knocking her head, acts that could have caused injury to the victim.

She also pleaded guilty to committing similar acts against a six-month-old baby boy by covering his face with a pillow and forcing him to drink milk.

The offences were allegedly committed at a childcare centre in Kampung Baru Salak Selatan here between 8 am and 6 pm on Dec 15.

The charges were framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

-- BERNAMA