According to a source, the 10-year-old pupil from a school in Alor Gajah was afraid to attend school on March 14 because of the 44-year-old male English teacher.

“The victim’s 34-year-old mother lodged a police report on Tuesday after her child was referred to the psychiatric department at Melaka Hospital.

“The victim was referred to Melaka Hospital for further treatment as her emotions had become increasingly unstable.

“A medical officer’s report concluded ‘alleged physical abuse by a known person’,” Bernama quoted the source as saying.

Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Muktar confirmed receiving the report, adding the teacher was arrested at 4pm yesterday at the state police headquarters when he turned up to give a statement.

He said a remand application for the teacher will be made today.