Kota Kinabalu: A 44-year-old man was fined RM5,000 or 12 months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here Friday for assaulting two brothers with a wooden stick.
Sunardi Matli pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to voluntarily causing hurt to Yacob Dulahim, 48, and his younger brother, Kamol Dulahim, 47, at a grocery shop in Kampung Petagas near here at 11.30pm on March 24 this year.
He was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 10 years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or whipping, or any two of the punishments upon conviction.
The court heard from the prosecution that Sunardi assaulted Yacob and Kamol with a wooden stick without any clear reason or explanation.
Yacob suffered a cut to his forehead, as well as scratches and pain to his shoulder, while Kamol sustained a wound to the back of his head.
The court was also told that Sunardi had previously scolded Kamol whenever he was angry.
Unrepresented, Sunardi appealed for a lower fine, saying he had children to support and elderly parents who were unwell.
He also said he had only recently started working.
Prosecuting Officer Inspector Dzulfamie Amrin applied for an appropriate sentence.
In another case, a 28-year-old man claimed trial to assaulting a woman with a helmet.
Md Haffizan Juraeman pleaded not guilty before Marilyn to voluntarily causing hurt to Lyvonnie Sorupi, 25, with the weapon at a room in a house at Taman Keramat, Jalan Tuaran, at 11am on Aug 10.
He was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code, read with Section 326A.
The court fixed Sept 22 for pre-trial case management.
Haffizan was released on RM1,700 bail in two sureties and ordered not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses or complainant, and to report to the investigating officer once a month.
Inspector Yusdi Basri prosecuted.
Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man who assaulted his younger sister during an argument over their elderly mother was fined RM2,000, in default seven months’ jail, and sentenced to eight months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court here.
Geoffrey Joanes pleaded guilty before Marilyn to causing hurt to his 32-year-old sister, Karen Claire Johnny, on March 23 this year at 9.34am at a house in Kampung Ketiau Baru, Putatan.
Geoffrey was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read with Section 326A, which provides for up to one year’s imprisonment, or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
Section 326A provides for an enhanced jail term of up to twice the maximum punishment for offences involving certain family members.
The court heard from the prosecution that Geoffrey and Karen got into an argument at the said place on the day of the incident.
The argument arose after Geoffrey accused Karen of neglecting their elderly mother.
During the argument, Geoffrey punched Karen repeatedly on the head and face with both hands, causing injuries including a bleeding wound to the left side of her head, swelling and bruising to her forehead, and bruising on her right arm.
Unrepresented, Geoffrey appealed for leniency, admitting that his actions were wrong and expressing remorse.
“I should not have used violence. I apologise to my sister. I did not contact her after the incident because she no longer wants to have any contact with me. I respect her decision,” he said.
He said their mother was 70 and used a walking stick due to her age.
Geoffrey, who is married with a child and self-employed, asked the court for another chance, saying he would take the incident as a lesson.
Inspector Dzulfamie Amrin, prosecuting, applied for an adequate sentence.
The court ordered the eight-month jail term to run from Friday.
