SIBU: A labourer was yesterday sentenced to 13 years’ jail by the High Court here for causing the death of a woman by torching her.
Mohamad Faizal Sulaiman, 26, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code provides for jail up to 30 years and a possible fine.
Mohamad was originally charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
In passing sentence, Justice Datuk Yew Jen Kie took into consideration the nature of the charge, facts of the case, accused’s plea of guilty, that he was a first offender, mitigating factors and public interest.
According to the facts of the case, about 11.30pm on June 12, 2010, while waiting for her friend to pick her up from work, Sharifah Maznah Wan Mohamad (the deceased) and Nurman Mansoor sat at the footway of a hostel at Pedada Road.
Both of them were working at a fast-food restaurant.
While they were busy texting on their handphones, Nurman saw two persons approaching on a motorcycle.
After they had parked the motorcycle, the pillion rider walked towards them while the rider stayed on the bike.
After a few seconds, Nurman heard Sharifah Maznah shout for help. She was struggling and running with her back on fire.
The assailant fled the scene on the motorcycle.
Sharifah Maznah was rushed to Sibu Hospital where she was treated for eight days.
When her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to Kuching General Hospital where she stayed for nine days until her demise at 5.25pm on June 26, 2010.
A post-mortem revealed that death was due to severe body burns complicated by sepsis, multi organ failure, pneumonia and coagulation problem.
The police arrested two suspects — one identified as the accused who led them to his house where they seized a motorcycle and some other items.
Investigation revealed that the ex-boyfriend of the victim had asked the accused to burn her until she lost her beauty as revenge after she wanted to break off their relationship.
Based on police investigation and the accused’s statement during the interrogation, the accused had poured petrol on Sharifah Maznah and set her alight.
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadhir Mohd Khairudin referred the charge against the accused who was represented by an assigned counsel, Louis Jarau.