Contract worker pleads guilty to homicide, jailed eight years

GEORGE TOWN: A contract worker was sentenced by the High Court here to eight years in prison for culpable homicide and causing hurt.

Mohd Faizul Mohd Saaid, 45, pleaded guilty to the charges at the end of the prosecution case on Friday (Feb 26).

Judge Radzi Abdul Hamid asked Mohd Faizul if he was willingly pleading guilty and understood the seriousness of his charges.

He then sentenced Mohd Faizul to eight years in prison for culpable homicide under Section 304B of the Penal Code and three years for causing hurt to another person under Section 324 of the Penal Code.

Radzi said both sentences would run concurrently from his arrest on Sept 25,2017.

Mohd Faizul was charged with causing the death of K. Lokeswaran, 34, an Indian national, between 4.30am and 4.35pm on Sept 25,2017, in front of Ujung Batu temple in Bagan Dalam, Butterworth.

He was charged with the knowledge that his (Mohd Faizul) actions could cause Lokeswaran's death.

The charge under Section 304B of the Penal Code, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, carries a maximum jail term of 10 years or a fine or both upon conviction.

Mohd Faizul was also charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing harm to R. Dharmedran, 31, on the same date and at the same time and location.

He was accused of causing intentional harm by using a wooden plank to injure Dharmedran.

The charge was punishable by up to 10 years jail, a fine or whipping or any two of the above upon conviction.

A. Chandra Segaran, who represented Mohd Faizul in mitigation, said his client felt remorse for his crime and wanted to turn over a new leaf.

"By pleading guilty to both the charges he has saved the court time and money. He is sorry for his actions.

"He has a 75-year-old father who needs to be cared for as his mother has passed away," Chandra Segaran said, pointing out that Mohd Faizul had already served three years and five months in prison since his arrest.

DPP Noor Azura Zulkiflee argued that Mohd Faizul should be given the maximum punishment.

"His actions have caused a death, and grievous harm to another person.

"A heavy punishment will be a good lesson to him as well as an example to the public," she said.

Mohd Faizul was also represented by Hariprassad Rao.