By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, May 29: A 35-year-old man was fined RM1,200 by the Magistrates’ Court today for hitting his six-year-old nephew with a rubber hose.
Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi handed down the sentence to Tan Kay Chai, with an alternative three-month jail term if the fine is not paid.
Tan pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a potential penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.
The assault took place at a residence on Jalan Stephen Yong between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on March 13.
The incident came to light on March 14, when the victim’s older brother informed their father via WhatsApp that Tan had struck the younger child with a rubber hose.
The court heard that the children were under shared custody following their parents’ divorce, and were staying with their mother’s family at the time of the incident. Tan is the husband of the complainant’s ex-wife’s sister.
Upon learning about the incident, the victim’s father filed a police report, leading to Tan’s arrest on March 16. The investigation confirmed that the older brother witnessed the beating, which left bruises on the younger child’s back.
Inspector Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin prosecuted the case, while Tan did not have legal representation. — DayakDaily
