Kota Kinabalu: A lorry driver who assaulted his pregnant wife with an iron rod, machete and a cable tie was jailed 16 months and ordered to be caned twice, Tuesday.
Jerry James Marcus, 37, who was brought before Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun for mention, changed his plea to guilty to the charge.
Jerry admitted to committing the crime to his 34-year-old wife at 10pm on Jan 1, this year in a house at Kg Tenggiling, Manggatal.
The court was informed by the prosecution that the incident occurred because Jerry had accused his wife of cheating, which she denied but Jerry insists on accusing her.
A heated argument then ensued between them before Jerry hit her with an iron rod, machete and a tie cable, the court heard.
The wife suffered wounds and bruises all over her body and head, said the prosecution.
Police investigations also revealed that prior to the incident, Jerry had checked the google map on his wife’s handphone, which showed his wife had been frequenting one location and accused her of seeing someone at the particular location.
According to the wife, Jerry has an overly jealous attitude and accused her of cheating.
The wife said she did not scream because she feared Jerry would not stop beating her during the incident and that she ran from the house after he slept at 3.30am to lodge a police report against him.
Unrepresented, Jerry requested leniency by saying that he regretted his wrong action and promised not to repeat it in the future.
He also told the court that the wanted to work as he is supporting his five children the youngest aged one-month-old.
Jerry confessed to the court that he hit his wife while she was pregnant but claimed that he only slapped her but the court did not buy his claim and told him that based on the pictures tendered as exhibits by the prosecuted, showed the wife suffered wounds all over her body.
Inspector Albert Basiri, prosecuting applied a deterrent sentence as it involved the public interest and family system as well as a lesson to Jerry and to the husbands not to commit a similar offence.
Jerry was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, or with fine, or with whipping, or with any two of such punishments, on conviction.
In another case, a 29-year-old man was jailed nine months for committing mischief.
Unemployed Andrian Andulon admitted before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie to cutting 35 metre lengths of cable wire belonging to Perwira Progresif Construction Sdn Bhd at 1.30pm on May 9 this year near the Tebobon Petronas, Manggatal.
He was charged under Section 431A of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to two years or fine or both on conviction.
Inspector Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit, prosecuting, told the court that Andrian was arrested by police, who acted on information that he was seen cutting and collecting the cable at the said place.
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