KUALA KUBU BHARU: The salesman who put his three-year-old nephew in a washing machine which automatically locked itself at a self-service launderette in Bukit Sentosa, Rawang, was sentenced to two months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here today for endangering the child’s life.

Sessions Court judge Azmil Muntapha Abas, sitting as a magistrate, handed down the sentence on Muhammad Irwan Abdul Jalil, 27, after the man changed his plea to guilty.

He pleaded not guilty when charged with the offence on Oct 9.

Irwan, who is divorced, was ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on Oct 3.

Before handing down the sentence, Azmil told Irwan that his act of putting his nephew in a washing machine could have endangered the child’s life.

“If the washing spin were to start, what would happen to the child? The equipment at the launderette is for washing clothing, not for play,” he said.

He also asked Irwan whether he had apologised to his sister, who is the boy’s mother, for his action. Irwan said he had.

The charge against Irwan was made under Section 336 of the Penal Code, which provides imprisonment for up to three months, a maximum fine of RM500 or both, upon conviction.

During mitigation, Irwan, who was unrepresented, said he earned RM1,000 a month and was supporting his mother and youngest sibling.

Deputy public prosecutor Khairulazhwa Yusrie Mohamad prosecuted.