Men who hurt students released on bail

0

KUCHING: Three men who pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing grievous hurt to two students will be able to spend Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their families as they were released on bail pending delivery of judgement yesterday.

The three accused walk out of the Sessions Court room.

The scars can be seen on the hands of the victims.

Sessions Court Judge Allaudeen Ismail released Mohd Ramshah Ramlan, 23, from Kampung Tabuan Tengah; Mohamad Sukmarulnizam Ademan, 23, from Taman Tabuan Park; and Mohamad Fadilah Jamil, 34, from Kampung Tabuan Melayu; and deferred sentencing to Sept 10.

All three accused face up to 20 years in prison and are also liable to a fine and whipping under Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Ramshah was released on court bail of RM6,000, while Sukmarulnizam and Fadilah were released on RM4,000 bail each pending the delivery of judgement.

All three are also required to report to the nearest police station on the third week of every month pending the disposal of the case.

Originally, they were all set the same bail amount.

However, during mitigation, Defence Counsel Lim Lian Kee – who represented the first and third accused – said they were remorseful and asked for a lenient sentencing.

He also suggested the court defer sentencing because they wanted to be with their families during Ramadan.

Meanwhile, Sukmarulnizam, who was not represented by counsel, also told the court he was remorseful and wanted to be with his family.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Stella Augustine Druce told the court that Ramshah – the first accused – had five arrests warrants for traffic and drug related offences, while the second accused – Sukmarulnizam – had previously been convicted for causing hurt
and also had an arrest warrant
for a traffic offence.

“The punishment provided under Section 326 itself reflects the gravity of the offence.

“I urge the court to take into consideration public interest as well as the injuries inflicted on the victims and the after effects where both of them are suffering permanent disabilities and cannot do any heavy jobs due to fractures on their arms and hands (caused) by the accused,” she said.

All three accused, who are unemployed, admitted committing the offence around 6pm in front of a private tertiary institution in Muara Tabuan on April 6 this year.

The two victims – Nicholas Gandik Ningkan and Casspetra Bawok Aldrin, both 19 – were seriously injured during the attack by the three accused along with three others still at large while trying to stop them from stealing a motorcycle belonging to their friend.

Both victims were present in court yesterday.