KUANTAN: The husband of popular actress and former model Zahnita Wilson was slapped with two charges for voluntarily causing hurt to his wife and administering drugs at the Kuantan magistrate's court here today.
Contractor Abd Zackery Ghouse Abd Gafoor, 46, claimed trial to injuring his 39-year-old wife, while no plea was recorded over the drug-related charge at a separate court.
The father-of-four was charged for voluntarily causing hurt to his wife Zahnita Dorothy Hussien Wilson, or popularly known as Zahnita, at a residence in Indera Mahkota here about 8.20am on May 7.
The charge, framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of one year, or fine of up to RM2,000, or both.
The charge was read together with Section 326A of the same Code, which carries imprisonment for a term that may extend to twice the maximum term on conviction under Section 323.
Deputy public prosecutor B. Deevagaran Naidu proposed RM5,000 bail with one surety but lawyer Muhammad Amirull Afiqq Mohamad Lokman pleaded for a minimum bail saying his client has to support his four children including one with special needs.
"My client is also taking care of his 71-year-old mother who has a heart ailment. He has provided full cooperation to the authorities and the incident has been all over the internet which could impact his livelihood," he said.
Magistrate Tengku Eliana Tuan Kamaruzaman set bail at RM4,000 with one surety and fixed Jan 7 for mention.
Lawyer Datuk Zaharman Zainal Abidin was appointed by Zahnita to observe the court proceedings against the accused.
Earlier at a separate court, Zackery Ghouse was charged with deliberately using the dangerous drug 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid at the Kuantan police headquarters here about 5.45pm on Dec 2.
He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum two-year prison sentence.
However, no plea was recorded after deputy public prosecutor Luqman Hakim Muhammad Usari asked the court to set a mention date pending the pathology report and requested RM3,000 bail.
In mitigation, Amirull Afiqq pleaded for a lower amount saying his client has to support his elderly parents.
Magistrate Raja Norshuzianna Shakila Raja Mamat fixed RM2,600 bail with one surety and Feb 7 for mention.
The alleged domestic violence incident made headlines after Zahnita shocked her fans after uploading two photos on social media showing her bruised eye.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the victim was allegedly assaulted after expressing her desire to leave the house and live separately.