Man jailed, caned for robbing, biting off cabbie’s thumb

0

KOTA KINABALU: A man who robbed a taxi driver and bit his right thumb, was jailed eight years and ordered to be given one stroke of the cane.

Judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on Donald Dauglas Benedict, 34, after he pleaded guilty under Section 395 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 397 of the same Code, which carries a maximum jail of 20 years and also liable to whipping upon conviction.

The undefended accused admitted to robbing the elderly man of a cellphone and RM1,200 in cash at the roadside of Jalan Kampung Ratau in Tebobon, Menggatal on January 18.

The charge also stated that the accused had caused injuries by biting off the victim’s thumb and both his eyes were swollen.

Deputy public prosecutor Aida Jaafar Mad Arif told the court that investigation revealed that on the day of the incident, the complainant and his father were on their way to their orchard when they found the victim inside his taxi.

They then approached the victim, who was injured, and the complainant brought taxi driver to the nearest hospital to get treatment.

Aida said that while they were at the place, they saw the accused behaving suspiciously when coming out from the bushes there.

The complainant stopped the accused with the assistance of the villagers and fearing for his safety, the accused admitted that he had robbed the victim.

The accused was handed over to the police while his accomplice, a woman, escaped.

Aida said that before the incident, the victim drove his taxi while the accused and his female friend, who pretended to be passengers, asked to be dropped at the said location.

After they reached the place, the accused punched the victim and took away his cash after a struggle.

Aida added that the prosecution had obtained the medical report of the victim and it showed that his right thumb was bitten off.

In pleading for a light sentence, the accused said that he felt remorseful for what he had done and he is the eldest in the family, who had to take care of his mother before he committed the offence.

In reply, Aida urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence taking into account public interest and the seriousness of the offence.

The victim, who was present in court, explained that he is still traumatised by the incident and had stopped driving his taxi for about one month as he was not well. He also showed the court his injured right thumb.