The 14-year-old from Matang, Sarawak, pleaded guilty to eight charges of voluntarily causing hurt when brought before three separate magistrates’ courts in Kuching today, Bernama reported.

Magistrates Ling Hui Chuan, Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan and Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali separately recorded his guilty plea.

The offences took place between 12.30am and 2am on May 2 at a school hostel in Matang, when the victims, aged between 13 and 15, were asleep.

According to the facts of the case, the teenager pressed a hot iron on the victims’ arms, ankles, necks and calves, leaving them with burn injuries.

His action was witnessed by other students in the dormitory.

He was also ordered to be placed under the supervision of the social welfare department for one year. His parents will be allowed to visit him once every two months.

The prosecution was led by Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin and Arman Ibrahim. The teenager was represented by lawyers Russel Lim and Brandon Ling.