KOTA KINABALU: A local man was yesterday sentenced to death by the High Court here for trafficking in 141.61 grammes of syabu last year.
Justice Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli passed the sentence after finding Edmund John, 38, guilty of trafficking in the drug at a house at Lorong Pokok Resam in Taman BDC here on March 22, 2010.
He was convicted under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence upon convviction.
In his reserved judgment, Abdul Rahman held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“As required under Section 182A (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, I have considered all the evidence adduced and I am satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore the accused is convicted of the charge,” Abdul Rahman said.
“I order the accused to be brought to a lawful place where he shall be hanged by the neck until his death,” he said, adding that all the exhibits be returned to the prosecution to be kept, pending disposal of Edmund’s appeal.
The prosecution had called nine witnesses to testify against Edmund, while Edmund the sole defence witness.
Deputy public prosecutor Afzan Abd Kahar appeared for the prosecution, while counsel Peter Vung and Ram Singh acted for Edmund.