IPOH: An army retiree and his wife who allegedly abused and caused the death of their eight-year-old niece have been charged with murder in the Magistrate’s Court here.

       Zainuddin Noh and trader Norhazleyana Azreen Abdul Hamid, both 40, were jointly charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which was also read with Section 34 of the same Code before Magistrate Jessica Daimis yesterday.

       No plea was recorded.

       Both were accused of committing the offence at their house at Desa Pengkalan here from 10pm on May 13 to 7am on May 14.

       They were represented by Nurul Syuhada Mohd Yusof while Perak prosecution director Azlina Rasdi prosecuted.

       Both the accused were then brought to the Sessions Court where they were jointly slapped with two more charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, for abusing the victim’s six-year-old brother, causing physical injuries.

       They claimed trial after the charges were read to them before Sessions judge Norashima Khalid.

       The couple were said to have committed the offences at the same address on two occasions on May 13 at 1.30pm and 10.30pm.

       Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Hafizah Mohammad Pauzi prosecuted.

       Both were denied bail. If found guilty, they can be jailed up to 20 years.

       Mention for the cases at both courts has been set for June 30.