Judge Izralizam Sanusi, who ordered Siti Bainun, 30, to enter her defence on charges of neglecting and abusing the teenager, said that if she had looked after Bella well, the girl would not have suffered and endured such pain.

“Based on the testimony of the prosecution witnesses consisting of medical experts from Hospital Kuala Lumpur who treated Bella and the former residents of Rumah Bonda, as well as based on photographs of Bella’s injuries and recordings via mobile phones, I found that the victim suffered physical and emotional injuries while in the custody of the accused (Siti Bainun),” he said.

He said HKL pediatrician Dr Nizam Malik Bali Mohamed had stated that there were many traces of old wounds on Bella’s face, left neck, back, abdomen and right thigh.

Another medical officer, Dr Sheshadri Sridar, also testified that there were burn marks on Bella’s hands and scars on her body, he said.

As such, Izralizam said the prosecution had succeeded in proving that Siti Bainun had mistreated and caused physical and emotional injuries to Bella.