JOHOR BARU: The Sessions Court here today postponed its decision regarding a 41-year-old trader charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to his ex-wife, who was pregnant at the time, three years ago after he was admitted to a hospital in Kedah.
Judge Fatimah Zahari made the decision after lawyer Mohd Salleh Togimin, who represented the accused, informed the court that his client was admitted to Pendang Hospital due to shortness of breath yesterday afternoon.
Mohd Salleh also submitted the hospital admission letter, along with the accused's ward and bed number, to the court.
"I was informed by the accused's wife that he suffered from shortness of breath and lost consciousness after playing football yesterday afternoon.
"However, I have not contacted the accused directly. I was only informed of the matter by his wife," Mohd Salleh told the court.
Fatimah later set Dec 9 as the new date for the decision at the end of the defence case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Fatimah Mamu prosecuted the case.
In addition to Mohd Salleh, the accused were also represented by Kamal Hisham Jaafar and Aina Kamila Zalizam.
Also present was the sister of the 46-year-old victim.
"My sister's condition has not changed and she is still bedridden, while her only child is now certified as a person with disabilities," the 43-year-old woman said.
She added that her sister requires constant care because she remains unable to move, respond or speak to others.
"My sister's condition is still the same, still bedridden. She can only be fed through a tube and needs complete care from the family.
"She also needs to be taken to the hospital by ambulance for regular health check-ups, which are currently scheduled once a year.
"Her only child, who is now three has been certified as PWD and has been issued a disability card due to slow development. He still cannot talk or walk and weighs only 9.5kg.
"He also requires physiotherapy due to his condition and needs close attention from our family," she said, having arrived from Nilai, Negri Sembilan, yesterday to attend the proceedings.
Earlier, the victim's family, including her two siblings arrived as early as 8.30am to attend the verdict of the case.
On June 17, 2021, the accused pleaded not guilty to causing severe injuries to the victim.
Based on the charge sheet, he had intentionally caused severe injuries to Jahidah by hitting her head, face, and hands, and stomping on the back of her body, resulting in severe injuries.
He was charged with committing the offence in an apartment on Jalan Tani, Kampung Aman, Larkin, here at about 6am on May 4, 2021.
He is charged with an offence punishable under Section 325 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine.
In March last year, the Syariah Lower Court approved a 'fasakh' (divorce) application from the victim against the accused.