JOHOR BARU: A 12-year-old girl suffered head injuries and swelling on her arm after she was allegedly attacked with a hammer by a man at a flat in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah here.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh confirmed that the police received a report from the victim’s parent at around 5.19pm on Saturday (July 26), claiming that the child had been assaulted by a man with a metal hammer.
A video showing the injured child, who was bleeding from her head, has gone viral on social media.
“Following the report, police then arrested a 39-year-old local man at his residence at about 7.25pm the same day.
“The victim was immediately rushed to Sultanah Aminah Hospital and is currently reported to be in stable condition,” he said here on Tuesday (July 29).
ACP Balveer added the victim sustained a laceration to her scalp and swelling to her right hand due to the attack.
He also said that checks revealed that the suspect has a history of multiple criminal and drug-related offences while a urine test also returned positive for methamphetamine.
“The suspect has been remanded for seven days until Aug 2 to assist with the investigation,” he said adding that the case was being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
ACP Balveer reminded the public to avoid resorting to violence and to always allow authorities to carry out their duties.
“We urge the public to remain calm, act rationally, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Avoid violence and respect the rule of law,” he said.