Lorry driver charged with rape, murder remanded further

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The accused being escorted by policemen after the court hearing.

SIBU: A lorry driver on two felony charges involving rape and murder, and the murder of a woman civil servant, was yesterday further remanded by the Sessions Court here.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mohammad Tajul Aariffin Musa applied for the case to be adjourned to another date because the chemist and autopsy reports were not yet ready.

Judge Caroline Bee Majanil fixed Dec 7 for the next mention.

Philip Uja, 42, from Kanowit is facing two felony charges of rape and murder, and for murdering a woman, 26, at a rented house in Tiong Hua Road.

He is represented by counsel Rosli Gapor.

According to the first charge, Phiiip allegedly caused the death of Nurnia Azaled Priscilla Edward at an unnumbered house in Tiong Hua Road between 8pm Aug 1 and 2.30pm Aug 2, an offence framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code ,which provides for a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Secondly, he was charged with raping the same woman, and caused her death at the same time and place, an offence framed under Section 376(4) of the Penal Code, which provides the death penalty or a jail term not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years, as well as whipping of not less than 10 strokes.

It was earlier reported that the woman, who only got married last year, was found dead in her rented house with her hands and legs tied behind her back.

The victim, who worked with a government department at UTC Sibu, was found by a colleague who went to check on her after she failed to show up for work.