Convicted man escapes the gallows but gets nine years’ jail

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ESCAPING THE GALLOWS: Chua (centre) being led out of the court after the Court of Appeal allowed his appeal against the death sentence.

KUCHING: A Sibu man escaped the gallows but received a nine years’ jail sentence from the Court of Appeal after allowing his appeal against the original conviction for causing the death of another man in his hometown three years ago.

Chua Kuang Hai, was seen emotionless when the decision was delivered by a three-judge panel comprising Datuk Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim and Datuk Wong Dak Wah.

The appellant was found guilty of causing the death of Wong Yii Huat between 3.30am and 5.30am on July 20, 2010 in front of a shop at Jalan Long Bridge, Sibu.

His original charge of murder was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

Yesterday, the judges in their unanimous decision agreed that Chua had unintentionally caused the death of Wong and reduced the charge to Section 304 of the Penal Code for manslaughter.

Chua’s custodial sentence was ordered to take effect from his date of arrest – on July 20, 2010.

DPP Mahadhir Mohd Khairudin prosecuted.