SEREMBAN: A 28-year-old man was sentenced to three years’ jail after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of unintentionally causing the death of his father.
K.P. Niruben did not contest the charge after it was read to him before High Court judge Justice Rohani Ismail yesterday.
“You are fortunate that the charge has been reduced. It is my hope that you will not act recklessly and hastily in the future,” she said, referring to the original murder charge that was amended to culpable homicide.
Niruben was charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code with committing culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine or both, upon conviction.
Niruben had claimed trial when he was first charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and whipping.
He was charged with committing the offence between 12.20am and 1.10am on Aug 5, 2023 in front of a house at Taman D’Ambang in Lukut, Port Dickson.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Nor Baizura Mohd Saubian told the court that the prosecution had accepted a representation from the defence to review the charge.
Lawyer S. Paul Krishnaraja asked the court for a minimal jail sentence as his client was remorseful and it was his first offence.
“I would like to point out that the victim, who was intoxicated, was the one who started the fight.
“He had attacked the accused with a stick first, leaving him with head injuries,” he said, adding that his client is a lorry driver and has to look after his mother and a younger sibling.
Krishnaraja also said his client had saved the court’s time by pleading guilty.
Nor Baizura said public interest has to take priority.
“The accused has committed a serious offence and a life has been lost.
“Pleading guilty does not mean the accused should automatically be given a light sentence,” she said.
