IPOH: The trial of a homestay guest charged with the murder of 64-year-old security guard S. Thava Sagayam at a condominium here has been transferred to the Ipoh High Court.

       Magistrate Noor Azreen Liana Mohd Darus granted Deputy Public Prosecutor Fatin Hosna Mohamad Zikri's application to transfer the case, involving the accused Ahmad Noor Azhar Muhammad, 34, at the Ipoh Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (Jan 12).

       No plea was recorded after the accused nodded his understanding on the charge read out to him, as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

       Lawyer Ariff Azami Hussein, who represented the accused, asked the court to order an immediate medical checkup on Ahmad Noor, who has asthma.

       "My client is unwell. He has been coughing and is out of his asthmatic medicines.

       "I hope the court can order the prison to give him immediate medical treatment," he said.

       Lawyer M. Kulasegaran is holding a watching brief for Thava's family along with three other lawyers.

       Ahmad Noor allegedly assaulted Thava between 8am and 9.30am on Dec 29, 2020, at a homestay in a condominium here.

       He was charged with murder on Sept 9, 2021, following Thava's death at his home on Aug 27 last year.

       Ahmad Noor was previously charged on Jan 6, 2021, under Section 335 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt, but he was charged with murder after public outcry after Thava's death led to a reopening of the case.