KOTA KINABALU: A couple charged with the murder of their maid has been ordered by the High Court to enter their defence.

Justice Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng made the ruling after determining that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, 40, and Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, 33.

The court has set the defence proceedings for Oct 21 to 25.

Ambree, a contractor, and his wife, a former reality TV cooking show finalist, face charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or a prison sentence of up to 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.