Two sentenced over child’s electrocution

The Third Minor Criminal Court yesterday announced its judgement in a child electrocution case, sentencing the landlord and tenant of the property where the victim died. The tragic incident occurred on a farmland in Hajar village in the Northern Governorate.

The court sentenced the two men to six months imprisonment for unintentional murder and fixing electricity extensions without obtaining the necessary permit. This was confirmed by Family and Child Prosecution Chief Prosecutor Ibrahim Al Binjassim, who explained in a press statement that the Public Prosecution was notified by Budaiya Police about finding the body of a child on a farmland.

Mr Al Binjassim explained that the site was inspected and the safety of electricity extensions was checked. “Witnesses’ testimonies, including that of a technician with the Electricity and Water Authority, were heard. The technician confirmed that the internal extensions of the farm were unsafe, which violated the Electricity and Water Authority laws.

“The coroner’s report has proven that the victim’s cause of death was electrocution, which suddenly stopped blood circulation and respiratory functions, leading to the child’s immediate death,” Mr Al Binjassim said.    The Chief Prosecutor also clarified in his statement that the person renting the farm and the owner of the farm were interrogated.

The tenant told the prosecutors that the victim was accompanying him and admitted that he had fixed the extensions himself. Both the tenant and the landlord were charged of unintentional murder and fixing electricity extensions without obtaining a permit, contrary to safety and security standards.  

 A bail amount of BD500 was fixed by the court to suspend the execution of the sentence for each defendant.