The sessions court also imposed a three-year good behaviour bond of RM3,000 on Shahrizuan Alias, 32, and he was ordered to do 180 hours of community service.

Judge Zul Zakiquddin Zulkifli sentenced the accused after he pleaded guilty to exposing the boy, aged three years and nine months, to harmful substances and causing the victim to suffer drug toxicity (overdose).

He was accused of committing the offence at the riverside of Kampung Sri Jaya, Mahligai, Kuala Krai, near here, at 3pm on June 18.

It was reported that the boy, who is his cousin’s son, was recovering after he was brought to the Gua Musang Hospital by his mother in an unconscious state on June 19. The boy had earlier gone on an outing with the accused.

Shahrizuan was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years, a maximum fine of RM50,000, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Nurul Hanini Wan Ahmad Shukry urged the court to pass a commensurate sentence as the accused was negligent while the boy, who suffers from global development delay, was in his care.

Shahrizuan, who was unrepresented, requested a lighter sentence as he had to support his family.