A car wash worker was charged at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court today for allegedly causing serious injuries to an elderly man using a motorcycle wheel lock earlier this month.
The accused, M Withvanathan, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read out before Judge Rohatul Akmar Abdullah.
According to the charge sheet, Withvanathan was accused of intentionally causing grievous hurt to Lau Chee Kwan, 60, by using a motorcycle fork lock, an object capable of causing death if used as a weapon.
The incident allegedly took place at about 11.50pm on July 5 along Jalan Tun Ali, Tengkera, here.
The charge was framed under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine or whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Qaiyyum Ramlan requested a new mention date to obtain the victim’s medical report and proposed bail of RM18,000.
He also requested additional bail conditions, including preventing the accused from contacting prosecution witnesses and requiring him to report to the nearest police station every month until the case is concluded.
Withvanathan, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, appealed for a lower bail amount, saying he worked as a car washer with an unstable income of around RM40 to RM50 per day depending on the number of vehicles.
He also told the court that he previously suffered broken limbs due to an accident and was supporting his younger sibling as well as his widowed sister, who is unemployed.
The court did not grant bail as no guarantor was present for the accused. The case was fixed for mention on August 10 to obtain the victim’s medical report and for the appointment of a lawyer.
