KUALA LUMPUR: A part-time model accused of stripping in public in Petaling Street, early last month was ordered to undergo mental evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak today.
Magistrate Nur A'minahtul Mardiah Md Nor ordered Persana Avril Sollunda, 32, to be admitted to the mental institution under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code which allows an accused suspected to be of unsound mind to undergo observation and receive psychiatric treatment.
"If the accused fails to turn up at the hospital by today, her bail will be forfeited and an arrest warrant will be issued," she said.
Earlier, the court rejected the application by the Sabahan model's counsel Muhammad Izzat Nordin for the proceedings to be held in a closed session.
"The most important part now is whether she was aware of her actions or not during the time the offence was committed. Therefore, she needs to be sent to Hospital Bahagia for her to be evaluated," A'minahtul said.
She fixed July 2 for the accused's psychiatric report.
Sollunda who was absent in court for her re-mention scheduled in the morning was ordered by the magistrate to appear by noon.
Izzat who submitted a letter from the Sungai Buloh hospital psychiatric and mental health centre said his client was not well and could not attend.
"She was temporarily discharged from the hospital yesterday but had to return for further treatment on June 1," he said adding that his client has been receiving treatment at the hospital.
A'minahtul while reading the letter from the hospital said the accused must be present as she had been released by the hospital.
"Whether she is well or unwell, it is for the court to decide. She does not have an MC, so there is no excuse for her to not be present as she is on bail. The accused must be present by 12 noon or the court will issue a warrant of arrest," she said.
On April 28, the Sabahan spa worker claimed trial to committing public indecency after failing to settle a RM18 bill at a food stall in Petaling Street on April 23.
She allegedly committed the offence along the road at Jalan Petaling, Dang Wangi here around 2.07pm on April 23.
A video recording of the alleged incident went viral online.