Man jailed 3 months for slapping 11yo boy accused of puncturing van tyre in Asajaya

Court - DayakDaily.com file pic. // Photo: Pixabay

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, March 17: A 47-year-old man was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates’ Court here today after admitting to slapping an 11-year-old boy, leaving the child injured in an incident that later went viral on social media.

Zaiden Amran pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt when it was read before Magistrate Shafiza Datu Abdul Razak Tready.

He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.

According to the charge, the offence took place at about 9.30pm on March 11 in Kampung Asajaya Ulu, Asajaya.

Based on the facts of the case, the victim’s father was informed that the 11-year-old had been assaulted by a man who suspected the boy of puncturing the tyre of his van.

The child, however, firmly denied damaging the vehicle, and his denial was corroborated by other witnesses at the scene.

The victim sustained bruising on his left cheek, along with visible slap marks on his face and also complained of pain in his right arm. He later received further treatment at Sarawak General Hospital.

Following the incident, the boy’s father lodged a police report, which led to the accused’s arrest.

Police investigations revealed that Zaiden had admitted to slapping the victim three times on the left cheek. The assault was also witnessed by the boy’s friends who were present at the time.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fadzri Azham Zainudin, while the accused was represented by lawyer Arthur Liang Dawat. — DayakDaily