PETALING JAYA, Oct. 31 -- The Sessions Court has sentenced Ismanira Abdul Manaf to five years' imprisonment after finding her guilty of neglecting her autistic son, the late Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, in a manner likely to cause physical harm.

The court also dismissed her lawyers' request for a stay of execution and ordered her to begin serving the sentence immediately.

Judge Syahliza Warnoh handed down the sentence when proceedings resumed at about 11am.

In addition to the sentence, the court ordered the 30-year-old to enter into a two-year good behaviour bond and perform 120 hours of community service within six months of completing her jail term.

Ismanira was convicted under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a max...