SUNGAI PETANI: He tried to cover up his bruises by wearing a jacket to class. But the garb betrayed a secret the student had harboured for two months upon inspection by a concerned teacher.
The seven-year-old boy had been enduring physical abuse by his father.
Apart from bruises on his body, the SJKC Pekan Lama student had sustained swellings and cuts on his lip.
Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Zaidy Che Hassan said the teacher then alerted the school administrator.
"Upon further inspection, they discovered bruises and swellings on the victim's body, ear as well as a cut wound on his lip," he said in a statement.
Zaidy said the school administrator then immediately took the boy to lodge a police report before referring him to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital.
He added that based on an initial report by a doctor, it was found that the boy had old and new injuries on his head, neck and body due to physical abuse. The victim was subsequently warded at the hospital for further treatment.
Zaidy said investigations revealed that the boy was raised by his grandmother in Tanjung Dawai before he moved to live with his father and step-mother in Taman Desa Jaya here last year.
"The victim's father had admitted beating the victim over the last two months, claiming that his son was disobedient and hyperactive.
"The suspect had also admitted to repeatedly beating his son with a cane, broom stick and plastic ladle at their home.
"We have detained the suspect and seized all the objects that he used to abuse the boy," he said.
Zaidy said police had obtained a six-day remand order against the suspect beginning today.
Police have classified the case under Section 31 (1) of Child Act 2001.