PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 — The Sessions Court here today found the mother of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin guilty of neglecting the six-year-old autistic child, resulting in physical injury to the boy two years ago, and sentenced her to five years in prison.
Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh meted out the sentence on Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, after finding that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubts against the prosecution’s case at the end of the defence case.
The woman was ordered to begin serving her prison sentence today. She was also placed on a two-year good behaviour bond with a local guarantor and a security deposit of RM3,000.
The judge further ordered that she perform 120 hours of community service, to be completed within six months following the completion of her prison term.
On July 21, Judge Syahliza ordered Ismanira to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against her. Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, was, however, acquitted and discharged of the same charge.
They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Nur Sabrina Zubairi. Ismanira was represented by counsel Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh.
