PARIT BUNTAR: A contract worker was charged in the magistrate's court here today with the murder of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son in Bagan Serai two weeks ago.
No plea was recorded from Muhammad Haziq Mustapa, 26, after the charge was read out before magistrate Muhammad Syaiful Akmal Mohamad Razi as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, the widower allegedly murdered Ayyash Aulian Muhammad Faizul at a house in Taman Serai Permai, Bagan Serai, sometime between Oct 11 and 13.
The accused was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty.
Prosecuting officer Inspector M. Saravanan prosecuted while the accused was not represented.
The court then set Jan 30 next year for mention pending chemistry and post-mortem reports.
It was reported on Oct 15 that police arrested a 26-year-old widower and his parents, aged 57 and 62, after a 2-year-old boy who was under their care died of severe injuries and burn marks in Bagan Serai on Oct 13.
Bagan Serai police chief Superintendent Juna Yusoff had said the victim, believed to be the child of a neighbour, was found unconscious by the widower's parents who later sent the child to a clinic in Bagan Serai.
Upon reaching the clinic, the victim was declared dead.
According to the post-mortem examination report from Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, the toddler had died of injuries to his head, caused by a blunt object, while there were injuries all over the body and burn marks caused by a hot object.