A Filipino man residing in Tawau, Sabah, was ordered to serve two years in jail after he pleaded guilty to physically abusing his 7-year-old son with a belt last October.
The unnamed suspect was a single father who held IMM13 refugee status, reported NST.
Man whips son with belt for playing with marbles in the sand
According to the English daily, the man had abused his son at a house in Kampung Sungai Buaya, Batu 3 Jalan Apas, at 10.45am on Oct 12.
He apparently became angry when he saw his son playing with marbles, prompting him to beat the boy with a belt, resulting in visible injuries.
A police report was later lodged by the wife of the boy’s uncle, who had recorded the abuse.
The man later pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, where he faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
Claimed he beat son to discipline him
In mitigation, the man’s lawyer, Chen Wen Jye, said his client was remorseful for his actions and said the act of beating his son with the belt was merely a form of discipline.
The accused deeply regrets his actions. On the day of the incident, he was merely trying to discipline his son, who has sensitive skin and eczema, to prevent him from playing in the sand.
“I also ask the court to exempt my client from referral to the Malaysian Immigration Department,” he said.
As for the boy, the court heard that he is now being cared for by his mother.
Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya then ordered the man to serve two years in jail from the date of his arrest on Oct 12, 2024. He was also instructed to furnish a RM2,000 good behaviour bond with a local guarantor.
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