SEREMBAN: A teenager has claimed trial at Sessions Courts here to four charges of physically abusing girls at a childcare centre in Rasah.
Puteri Nurin Amalina Ahmad Daud, who turns 20 on Sept 22, pleaded not guilty to the charges before judges Datin Surita Budin and Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.
She was charged with using a hot spoon to cause burns and physical injury on the arms of her victims who were aged from five to six years.
The accused, who was employed as a childcare assistant, committed the offences at the centre in August 2024.
Puteri Nurin was slapped with two charges before Surita followed by two more before Meor Sulaiman.
She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years' jail and a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
Several people believed to be her relatives were also seen in court.
In the first court, deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni asked the court for a remention date as her team had yet to obtain medical reports of the victims.
She also said the prosecution was not offering bail to the accused but should the court allow it, the amount should be high due to the nature of the offence.
She said the accused should also be ordered to stay away from victims and witnesses.
When Surita asked Puteri Nurin if she had anything to say, she asked for a light sentence.
However, the judge said that the court only wanted to know if she wanted bail and any mitigating factors for a low amount.
The court interpreter then explained to the accused what the judge was asking.
Puteri Nurin then told the court she wished to be allowed bail, adding that she was only given an allowance of RM300 monthly and had only been working at the centre for five months.
She also said that she suffered from migraines and spinal aches but had not gone for a check-up.
Surita then allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM40,000 for both charges.
Puteri Nurin was also ordered not to contact the victims, to report at the nearest police station once a month and to surrender her passport to the court.
In the second court, deputy public prosecutor Syamimi Farhana Muhammad A. Aziz also did not offer bail, saying that a serious crime against young children had been committed.
She also said the two charges in this court were in addition to two other earlier charges.
"In total, there are four children who were subjected to physical injury," she said.
When Meor Sulaiman asked the accused if she had anything to say, she merely asked to be given bail.
He then asked the deputy public prosecutor if the alleged offences were committed in the same home and was told that they were.
"Taking that into account, I hereby deny the accused bail," said Meor Sulaiman.
Both courts fixed Oct 18 for remention and to allow her to appoint a lawyer.
On Wednesday (Sept 11), hundreds of children were rescued in a large-scale operation in two states.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the rescue was part of Ops Global.
The raids were conducted at 18 care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
A total of 402 children comprising 201 boys and 201 girls aged from one to 17 were rescued, believed to be abuse victims and abandoned children.
Razarudin said 171 suspects, aged from 17 to 64 were arrested, including a teacher and dorm caretakers.
