The husband of the babysitter who took care of 11-month-old Nur Muazara Ulfa Mohammad Zainal or Zara has been sentenced to 20 years in jail and 12 strokes of the rotan after pleading guilty to sexually abusing the baby earlier this month.
Judge Surita Budin meted out the sentence at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday after Hazmi Majid, 36, admitted to inserting his finger into the baby’s private parts.
On both charges, Hazman, who works as a barber, was accused of inserting his finger into the baby’s genitals and anus in a house at Apartment Sri Cempaka in Section 16, Bandar Baru Bangi, between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Nov 7.
The charges were framed under Section 377CA of the Penal Code which provides a jail term of between five and 30 years as well as a whipping.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Siti Noor Hafizan Zakaria pressed for a deterrent sentence, saying it involved an 11-month-old baby who was helpless and could not defend herself.
She said the accused, as the husband of the babysitter, should also take care of the baby, not exploit her.
In mitigation, Hazmi said he was the sole breadwinner and needed to support his wife and three children.
Hazmi was sentenced to 20 years and six strokes of the rotan on each count, with the court ordering him to serve the sentences concurrently from the date of his arrest on Nov 13.
On Nov 23, Hazmi was charged in the Magistrate’s Court with the murder of the infant at the same place under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the death sentence upon conviction.
No plea was recorded, and bail was not offered.
The infant was reported to have died on Nov 9 after being in critical condition for two days at Serdang Hospital, due to physical and sexual abuse.
Related reports:
Nov 26, Alleged Baby Rapist to be Tried for Murder in Regular Court
Nov 13, Suspect Confesses to Bathing Baby on Day of Sexual Abuse Incident
Nov 11, Another Shock: Sexually Abused 9-Month-Old was Cared for by Suspect, Not Caretaker