KOTA KINABALU: A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to a year's jail for seriously injuring his friend during a drinking session.
Afenddey Junny pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus to hitting 40-year-old Vitalis Raining with a large rock at Kampung Kibunut in Penampang at 3.49am on July 7, 2024.
The offence, under Section 325 of the Penal Code for causing grievous hurt, carries a prison sentence of up to seven years or a fine upon conviction.
The court ordered Afenddey to begin serving his sentence from the date of his arrest.
During mitigation, his lawyer Fauzi Acho from the Sabah Legal Aid Department pleaded for a lenient sentence, stating that this was Afenddey's first offence and that he had no intention of injuring the victim.
He also informed the court that Afenddey was the sole breadwinner for his family.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sofia Sawayan urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence as Afenddey had attacked the victim with a large rock during a drunken argument.
The victim was taken to Queen Elizabeth 1 Hospital for treatment and Afenddey was arrested after a police report was filed.