The husband and wife, who are the victim’s stepfather and biological mother, claimed trial before judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.

They were jointly charged with mistreating the boy by hitting him with a cane and a hanger, causing him to suffer physical injury, at a house in Mantan between April last year and March 23 this year.

The charge was framed under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.

The court allowed them bail of RM5,000 with one surety each and set May 17 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Syamimi Farhana Muhammad A Aziz prosecuted, while the couple was unrepresented.