SEREMBAN: A woman and her lover have retracted their guilty plea to a charge of neglecting her three-year-old daughter, which led to the child’s death.
Noraini Haron, 42, and Mohd Khairul Shamsua Israk, 38, claimed trial after the interpreter read them the charge again before Sessions Court judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi yesterday.
In April, the duo had pleaded guilty to the charge. Yesterday was supposedly fixed for a mention.
Lawyer Ramesh Lachmanan, who appeared for Noraini, told the court that his client had decided to change her plea before proceedings started for the day.
The duo were charged with committing the offence from March 18 and 24 this year between noon and 6.45pm at a house in Port Dickson.
They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of RM50,000 or both upon conviction.
Meor Sulaiman then asked Mohd Khairul if he had a lawyer, to which the latter said he did not. The judge then told him to appoint one and fixed July 12 for mention again.
Ramesh had earlier asked the court to set aside an arrest warrant issued against Noraini for not being present in court when the case came up for remention and sentencing on May 2.
He told the court that Noraini and her bailor were asked to be present on May 8 and not May 2.The court allowed the application.
Noraini was allowed RM20,000 bail. Mohd Khairul was unable to raise the amount.
Mohd Khairul, who works as a workshop assistant, has six children of his own. Noraini, who is unemployed, has two other children.
Noor Syafina Mohd Radzuan prosecuted.
