KUCHING: A man was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to be caned three times yesterday for committing robbery.
Nur Azzeri Farhan Mohamad, 21, was however sentenced in absentia by Sessions Court Judge Dayang Ellyn Narissa Abang Ahmad after he failed to turn up for the hearing to enter his defence.
The judge had ruled that the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against him.
A warrant of arrest issued on him is still unexecuted. He will begin his jail term immediately upon arrest.
Nur Azzeri was charged with robbing a woman of her mobile phone while armed with a knife on Aug 13 last year at about 7.30am at Jalan Petanak here.
Armed robbery, under Section 395 read together with Section 397 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment term up to 20 years and whipping. DPP Haresh Prakash prosecuted.