Woman Gets 10 Months Jail Rm20 000 Fine For Abusing 4 Girls

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The Seremban sessions court also imposed a two-year good behaviour bond on the accused, with a surety of RM2,000. (Facebook pic)
SEREMBAN: The sessions court here has sentenced a daycare assistant to 10 months in prison and a RM20,000 fine, or in default 20 months in jail, for physically abusing four girls aged between five and six last year.
In separate proceedings, judges Dharmafikri Abu Adam and Surita Budin sentenced Puteri Nurin Amalina Ahmad Daud, 20, to 10 months in prison on each of the four charges. The sentences are to run concurrently from the date of her arrest on Sept 5, 2024.
The court also imposed a two-year good behaviour bond on the accused, with a surety of RM2,000.
She was further ordered to complete 120 hours of community service over six months on each of the four charges, to be carried out consecutively after serving her prison sentence.
Surita also directed Puteri to attend counselling sessions with a social welfare department officer to help manage her anger.
Puteri, who was responsible for the care of the children, was charged with pressing a heated metal spoon onto their arms as punishment at a daycare centre in August 2024, causing burns.
Puteri, who last month pleaded guilty to the charges, was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
Case facts revealed that the act was intended as punishment after the children took snacks from the centre without permission.
Her lawyer pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying she was a first-time offender from a low-income family and had regretted her actions.
The court also heard that she had skills in baking and hoped to pursue vocational training after serving her sentence.
State prosecution director Ku Hayati Ku Haron requested an appropriate punishment, citing the severity of the offence.
“Pressing a hot spoon against a child over snacks is excessive. We all know children naturally enjoy eating,” she said. - FMT

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