Justice Azmi Ariffin said Abdullah Mohamed should be subjected to the severest punishment for the inhumane acts of violence he committed against the defenceless child, which were beyond comprehension.

He said Abdullah had brutally abused the victim, causing her to sustain serious injuries to her abdomen. He also kicked and stomped on her until she died.

The judge noted that the law was amended two years ago to give the court the discretion to impose the death sentence or a jail term of up to 40 years.

“We are, however, affirming the sentence imposed by the High Court on grounds of public interest and to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” he said in dismissing Abdullah’s appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Justices Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Azman Abdullah heard the appeal.

Azmi said the trial judge had committed no error of law or fact to warrant appellate intervention.

“The appellant’s defence was a bare denial, and it (the defence) was not advanced at the prosecution stage,” he said.

Abdullah, 43, still has the right of appeal to the Federal Court.

He was found to have committed the offence on Nur Aina Nabihah at a house in Lukut, Port Dickson, on Jan 31, 2018.

On Aug 22, 2023, he was convicted by Justice Rohani Ismail and sentenced to death.

Lawyers Afifuddin Hafifi and Aina Melina Johan Ariff Lim represented Abdullah, while deputy public prosecutor Asmah Musa appeared for the prosecution.