A former Universiti Teknologi Mara (Chendering branch) student was today sentenced by the Kuala Terengganu Magistrate's Court to a year's jail and fined RM7,000 for baby dumping.

On April 13, Magistrate Wan Nor Aklima Wan Salleh imposed the jail term on Zarina Sulaiman, 22, when she pleaded guilty to the offence.

According to facts of the case, Zarina was accused of concealing the birth of her baby girl and disposing off the baby who had died either before, after or during birth.

She was said to have committed the offence at the Sutera Hostel of the university in Kubang Ikan near Kuala Terengganu, between 11pm and midnight on Jan 29, 2008.

Zarina, who holds a diploma in science, was charged under Section 318 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine, or both.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Masriwani Mahmud @ Mamat urged the court to mete out a fitting sentence as Zarina's offence was serious.

However, the defendant's lawyer Mohd Hayyatuddin Muhammad appealed for a lighter sentence as it was a first offence, adding that she regretted her action.

Besides, he said, Zarina had also received an offer to pursue her degree in science.

- Bernama