THE Seremban High Court today sent the father of a nine-year-old girl to the gallows for abusing her to death five years ago.

Judge Rohani Ismail meted out the sentence against ex-soldier Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed, 41, after his defence failed to raise a reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

He was accused of murdering Nur Aina Nabihah at a house in Jalan Vista Jaya 5, Taman Vista Jaya, Lukut, Port Dickson between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on January 31, 2018.

The charge under section 302 of the penal code carries the mandatory death sentence. 

Judge Rohani said the entire defence case was mere denial. 

“The court, therefore, sentences you (Abdullah) to death by hanging on a date to be decided later,” she said. 

Deputy public prosecutors Sharifah Maleeha Syed Hussin and Ala’uddin Baharom prosecuted, while the accused was represented by two lawyers.  

Earlier during the prosecution’s case, Sharifah Maleeha submitted that Abdullah’s cruel actions caused his daughter to sustain severe injuries on her abdomen and that he even kicked and stepped on her, resulting in her death. 

“There were 32 visible bruises and numerous internal injuries on the victim, especially on her head, neck and abdomen. The autopsy also showed internal haemorrhages as a result of trauma to the liver, pancreas and kidneys. 

“This little girl was mercilessly stepped on and kicked by her own father, who is supposed to protect, care for and love his children,” she said. 

During mitigation, the accused’s lawyers requested a minimum sentence for their client, effective from the date of his arrest.  

Nineteen prosecution witnesses testified throughout the trial, which started in 2018. – Bernama, August 22, 2023.