SEREMBAN: A childcare centre assistant pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to four charges of abusing four children last month.
The accused, Puteri Nurin Amalina Ahmad Daud, 20, entered her plea after the charges were read before Judges Datin Surita Budin and Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.
The accused, who was responsible for the care of four girls aged between five and six, is alleged to have abused the children by pressing a hot metal spoon onto their arms, causing physical injuries such as burns.
She was accused of committing the offences at a childcare centre in Taman Merbok Ria in August.
She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and is punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of 20 years' jail and a fine of up to RM50,000.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Noraziha Asmuni and Syamimi Farhana A. Aziz did not offer the accused bail, citing concerns that she might repeat the offence and considering the seriousness of the crime.
The accused, who was unrepresented, requested a lower bail as she has no fixed income and only receives a monthly allowance of RM300 as a childcare assistant.
Meanwhile, Surita granted bail at RM40,000 for two of the charges, with the condition that the accused report to the police station monthly, surrender her passport to the court and is not allowed to disturb the victims.
However, Meor Sulaiman did not grant bail.
The court set Oct 18 pending a medical report and appointment of a lawyer.