2007 06: Man charged with abusing his lover's four-year-old son

The Star online. News. Nation. Friday June 22, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: A fishmonger was charged in the Magistrates Court here on Friday for the physical and emotional abuse of his lover's four-year-old son.

Heryman Sapri, 25, admitted that he had hit the boy but added he had no intention to hurt him as the charge against him was read out before Magistrate Amran Jantan who fixed Sept 19 and 20 for the court to hear the case.

"Saya akun pukul dia (mangsa) tetapi saya tiada niat mendera dia ( I admit I hit the boy but I had no intention to hurt him)," Henryman said.

His statement was considered as a not guilty plea by the court.

He is accused of abusing the boy from May to June 15, this year at a house in Taman Seri Indah, Menggatal here and was charged under Section 31(1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 that provides a maximum fine of RM20, 000 or 10 years jail or both if found guilty.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Syarifuddin Abdul Rasa asked the court not to grant bail for the accused while requesting the court for time to obtain the medical reports on the condition of the boy from the hospital.

Amran ordered Heryman to be remanded for a week under Section 249 of the Criminal Procedure Code Section 249.

Heryman and the boy's 27-year-old mother were arrested at around 11.20pm on Friday when a police team rescued the boy who was suffering from third degree burns.

However, on Wednesday, police released the mother to care for the boy who is recovering at the Children's Burns Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.

Kota Kinabalu City police chief Asst Comm Ku Chin Wah when contacted yesterday said that they did not intend to take action against the mother but would leave it to the Welfare
Department to decide if she was fit to care for the child.

Since the incident came to light, people from all walks of life turned up at the hospital to shower gifts of food, clothing and toys for the boy.

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Abused four-year-old boy getting plenty of love now
The Star online. News. Nation. Friday June 22, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: The four-year-old abused boy who was rescued on Saturday is receiving love and attention from people from all walks of life.

Since learning of his plight, locals and members of non-government organisations have come bearing gifts, clothes and toys to the Children’s Burns Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin, who is state Community Development and Consumers Affairs Minister, said his officers were looking into the living conditions of the boy's family to see if immediate welfare aid could be provided for them.

The boy was found “shivering and crying” in the living room of their Taman Seri Indah Menggatal home here.

Police arrested his 27-year-old mother and her 25-year-old lover, a self employed local.

The mother has been released on police bail so she can care for the boy.

Yahya told The Star yesterday that any long term plans for the boy would depend on the outcome of the court case.

“If the court finds the mother guilty in abetting the abuse of the boy or that she is incapable of caring for the child and orders the boy to be put under welfare care, then we will do the necessary,” Yahya added.

The boy, whose father is the woman's former lover, is reported to be suffering from burns on his legs and cuts on his face and body.

This is first case of abuse being investigated under the Child Abuse Act 2001 in Sabah.