12-year-old attacked with hammer at JB housing block; man arrested

A Malaysian man has been arrested after allegedly attacking a 12-year-old girl with a hammer at the Ungku Tun Aminah flat area in Johor Bahru on July 26.

In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the man can be seen loitering in the flat's lobby before walking out of frame. 

While the assault was not captured on camera, a young girl dressed in black is later seen sprinting towards the lift seemingly in distress.

CCTV footage also showed a group of three other children who had been at the lobby approaching the victim. 

As the victim enters the lift, bloodstains are visible on her hands as she touches the back of her head, according to CCTV footage.

Based on the video's timestamp, the incident is believed to have occurred at around 3.16pm.

In a statement released on Facebook, Johor Bahru North District police chief assistant commissioner Balveer Singh confirmed that a call for assistance was received at 5.19pm from the victim's parent, who reported that their child had been attacked by a man with a metal hammer.

The victim was rushed to Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru and is currently in stable condition. 

She reportedly sustained injuries including a lacerated scalp and swelling on her right hand resulting from the attack.

ACP Balveer noted that the suspect has a prior criminal record, including drug-related offences, and that a urine test conducted on him returned positive for methamphetamine-type substances. 

"The suspect was brought before the Johor Bahru court and has been remanded for seven days, from July 27 to Aug 2," said ACP Balveer. 

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code, which pertains to intentionally causing injury using a weapon or other dangerous object.

If convicted, the offender may be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to ten years, a fine, caning, or any two of these punishments. 

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xingying.koh@asiaone.com