A religious teacher today pleaded guilty in the High Court to culpable homicide not amounting to murder of a seven-year-old pupil last year.

Hanif Mohd Ali, 28, admitted committing the offence against Year One pupil Saiful Syazani Saiful Sopfidee at the warden's office of the boys’ hotel at Sekolah Rendah Agama Al-Furqan, Arau, Perlis, between 6pm and midnight on March 31 last year.

Judicial commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab said the court would deliver its verdict tomorrow.

Hanif, who doubles up as a hostel warden, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of 30 years upon conviction.

He had earlier been charged with murder under Section 302 which provides for the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Yesterday, Mohd Zaki ordered Hanif to make his defence today on the alternative charge.

Hanif, who was seen to be shedding tears, pleaded to the court to impose a lenient sentence to enable him to repent.

Deputy public prosecutor Noorin Badaruddin pressed for a deterrent sentence, saying the court had to consider the public interest.

“The victim was a seven-year-old child who has been at the school for just three months. The accused abused his powers. The victim should have been educated, not abused. Religion does not permit abuse in the name of education,” he said.

“The victim is alleged to have committed theft but the penalty was not commensurate with the offence. He was tied up, beaten and strangled to the point of denying oxygen to the brain, which caused his death,” he added.

Besides Noorin, the prosecution was assisted by DPPs Najib Zakaria, Nadia Hanim Mohd Tajuddin and Azhar Mokthar while Hanif was represented by five lawyers - Arif Azami Hussein, Azizul Shariman Mat Yusof, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, Mohd Fikri Abdul Rahman and Zulmi Sabri.  

- Bernama