The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court was told today that the first accused in the burning of the Metro Tabernacle church at Desa

Melawati had serious burns on the face and hands.

Dr Soep Sadimon, 53, who treated Raja Mohamad Faizal Ibrahim on the night of the incident, said he gave Raja Mohamad Faizal an injection to ease the pain and also advised him to go to a hospital for further treatment.

"He was conscious and was in pain. He sustained second degree burns on the face and both his arms from elbow to palm," he said when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi.

NONE Dr Soep, who attended to Raja Mohamad Faizal when the latter went to seek treatment at Klinik Izham, said Raja Mohamad Faizal (right) told him that he sustained the burns while burning rubbish at his house.

Raja Mohamad Faizal, 24, his brother Raja Mohamad Idzham, 22, and Azuwan Shah, 23 - all despatch riders - are charged with several others still at large with causing mischief by torching the Metro Tabernacle Church at Jalan 4/4c, Desa Melawati at 11.50pm on Jan 7 this year (photo, above) .

The charge - "mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house" - under Section 436 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 20 years' jail and a fine.

Dr Soep also said that Raja Mohamad Faizal was not wearing a shirt when he went to see him and that he also noticed Raja Mohamad Faizal's hair was also burnt.

Meanwhile, Dr Lim Chee Kean, from Kuala Lumpur Hospital, who also treated Raja Mohamad Faizal, said the accused also told him that he sustained the burns when burning rubbish at his house.

The hearing before judge SM Komathy Suppiah continues tomorrow.

- Bernama