KUCHING: The hearing of an application for bail variation in the High Court by an accused charged with causing death by negligence of his former girlfriend seven years ago was adjourned to Jan 9.
The decision was made by Judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang to check whether the applicant, Chiam Ta Huat, 34, had jumped bail when he was charged earlier for the same offence.
Chiam, 27, was discharged not amounting to acquittal in 2010 after he was released by Rhodzariah to go for an inquest under Sarawak Ordinance Inquest.
He was charged with causing the death of a woman on Dec 25, 2009 at a house in Jalan Bukit Bayor, Tabuan Jaya.
He faces a charge under Section 304 (a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years upon conviction.
The woman was a mother of three children.
It is said that Chiam and the woman had known each other for more than four years and were in intimate relationship and living together for more than a year.
Prior to the incident, it is also said that they were quarreling and that the accused had allegedly punched his girlfriend on the head and body.
She was then sent to hospital but after a four-hour attempt to save her life, the doctor announced that she had succumbed to her injuries.
The post mortem report tendered in court on Dec 28, 2009 had identified that death was due to serious injury on her head suspected to be hit with hard object and bruises on her body.
Chiam is represented by defence counsel Lim Lian Kee.