Unemployed man sentenced to death for murder of 3-year-old girl in Langkawi

New Straits Times

7 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR : The Alor Setar High Court has sentenced an unemployed man to death for the murder of a three-year-old girl whose body was dumped in a forested area at Gunung Raya, Langkawi, six years ago.
Justice Evawani Farisyta Mohammad meted out the sentence on Ramlan Abdul Rashid, 44, after finding him guilty of murdering Nur Aisyah Aleya Abdullah at a hospital staff quarters in Langkawi between 9 am and 10 am on Feb 23, 2019, under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
In her written judgment, published on the judiciary's website on July 31, the judge said the victim died from injuries sustained after being beaten and abused by the accused over a prolonged period, an act the court regarded as a grave offence.
"The accused showed no humanity when he disposed of the child's body in a forested area at Gunung Raya, Langkawi, without according it proper rites as required by religion.
"The court also finds that the accused displayed neither remorse nor repentance throughout the trial," she said.
She said evidence from a chemist confirmed that the skull and two teeth found in the said area belonged to the biological daughter of the complainant, who is also the victim's mother.
"The victim was an innocent young child placed in the care of the accused, who, as an adult, should have protected her," she added.
According to the prosecution's case, in November 2018, the victim's mother and her daughter moved into the staff quarters occupied by the accused and his wife, a nurse, and stayed there for about two months.
During that period, the victim's mother left the child in the care of the accused daily while she worked at a food stall.
In January 2019, the accused arranged for the complainant to stay at a hostel provided by her workplace, while the victim remained with him at the staff quarters.
However, in Feb 2019, the victim's mother failed to locate her daughter during a visit to the accused's home and lodged a police report.
The accused claimed he had entrusted the girl to another person but refused to disclose the individual's identity or whereabouts.
Police interrogation led to the discovery of the victim's skull and two teeth in a forested area of Gunung Raya, Langkawi, in March 2019.