MURDER ACCUSED CRIES UPON SEEING CHILD OUTSIDE COURT

KOTA KINABALU: A pub bouncer charged with murdering a college student teared up when he was met by a child outside the magistrate’s court here yesterday.

The accused, Mohd Azmin Lidin, 28, was seen talking to two women, believed to be his wife and a relative, inside the courtroom before his hearing began for the murder of Yaacob Nasran, 18, on Dec 15, last year.

A boy, who appeared to be 4 and believed to be Azmin’s child, was with them.

He was seen looking at the accused, who was seated on the lower level of the courtroom, from a barrier that separated the public gallery and bar.

However, an officer told the family that children were not allowed in the courtroom.

The two women and the boy then left before Azmin faced Magistrate Cindy McJuce Balitus for a re-mention of the case.

Prosecuting officer Inspector James Paran requested for another mention date, pending a chemist report.

Balitus then fixed April 11 for next mention.

Azmin’s lawyer, Datuk Seri K. Rakhbir Singh, was absent while the victim’s father, Nasran Harun@Nigel, and brother were seen at the gallery.

The accused appeared calm as he looked at the public gallery. However, he teared up when he saw the boy outside the courtroom while being escorted out.

The handcuffed Azmin was seen wiping his tears with a handkerchief and hugging the child.

The two women declined to speak to reporters when approached.

When contacted, Nasran questioned why the chemist report was not yet ready, adding that his family wanted to see justice being served.

“It has been three months since the incident and we are still coping.

“We lost our son. He was a beautiful and brilliant child. We just want to see justice done.”