Dungun man accused of hammer attack on grandmother ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 29 — The Sessions Court today ordered a 25-year-old man charged with causing grievous hurt to his grandmother with a hammer to undergo a mental health assessment. 

Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli issued the order against Muhammad Nor Iman Abdullah following an application by the prosecution, which requested that the accused undergo a psychiatric evaluation before any plea or statement is recorded.

The court ordered him to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Perak, to undergo a mental assessment.

Muhammad Nor Iman is accused of intentionally causing serious injury to his 79-year-old grandmother, Gayah Omar, using a hammer at a house in Kampung Baru Kuala Abang, Dungun, at about 6.30pm on June 19.

He was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 326A, which provides imprisonment of up to 20 years, as well as a fine or whipping upon conviction.

Earlier during proceedings, the accused told the court he did not understand the charge after it was read out to him.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Aisyah Mohammad, while lawyer Abdul Hayyi Salim from the National Legal Aid Foundation represented the accused.

The court set July 29 for mention. — Bernama