Woman, boyfriend change plea, claim trial in child neglect case leading to death

Source: The Star

SEREMBAN: A woman and her lover, who had previously pleaded guilty in April to neglecting her three-year-old daughter leading to the child's death, changed their plea at the Sessions Court when the case came up for next mention.

Noraini Haron, 42, and Mohd Khairul Shamsua Israk, 38, claimed trial after the charge was read to them again by the interpreter before Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.

Lawyer Ramesh Lachmanan, representing Noraini, informed the court that his client had decided to change her plea before the day's proceedings commenced.

The couple was charged with committing the offence between March 18 and 24 this year, from noon to 6.45pm, at a house in Port Dickson. They face charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years' in jail and a fine of RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

When Judge Meor Sulaiman asked Mohd Khairul if he had legal representation, he responded that he did not. The judge advised him to appoint a lawyer and set July 12 for next mention.

Earlier, Ramesh had requested the court to set aside an arrest warrant issued against Noraini for her absence during the previous court date on May 2, explaining that Noraini and her bailor had been instructed to appear on May 8 instead. The court granted his request.

Noraini was allowed to remain out on RM20,000 bail. However, Mohd Khairul, a workshop assistant with six children, could not post the bail amount. Noraini, who is unemployed, has two other children.

The case is prosecuted by Noor Syafina Mohd Radzuan.