AN army retiree and his wife were charged in the Ipoh magistrates’ court today over the death of their eight-year-old niece two weeks ago.

Zainuddin Noh and Norhazleyana Azreen Abdul Hamid, both 40, were charged with jointly murdering Aisha Farhana Muhammad Khirul Azral at a house at Jalan Desa Pengkalan Bandaraya 18, Desa Pengkalan, Lahat between 10pm on May 13 and 7am the following day.

The charge, under section 302 of the penal code for murder, carries the death penalty.

However, no plea was recorded after the charge was read out before magistrate Jesseca Daimis as the murder case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Perak’s prosecution director Azlina Rasdi prosecuted, while the two accused were represented by lawyer Nurul Syuhada Mohd Yusof.

Meanwhile, at the Ipoh Sessions Court before judge Norashima Khalid, the couple were charged with two counts of abusing the victim’s younger brother at the same place at 1.30pm and 10.30pm last May 13.

They claimed trial to the charge, framed under section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.

The court did not allow them bail and set June 30 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Hafizah Mohammad Pauzi prosecuted, while the couple were unrepresented.

The couple were arrested last May 15 following a report on the girl’s death by a medical officer at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. – Bernama, May 25, 2022.