GEORGE TOWN: A couple sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment by the Magistrate's Court here for committing lewd acts at a cemetery last Sunday (March 22) have filed an appeal at the High Court, challenging their sentences.
The appeal was filed on Friday (March 27) by their lawyer, Datuk Naran Singh, who is seeking a review of the punishment on the grounds that it is excessive.
"I filed the appeal to seek a review of the sentence, as 12 months' imprisonment is excessive for them," he said when contacted by Bernama Saturday (March 28).
On Thursday (March 26), Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi sentenced M Jegathesan, 58, and Halila Abu Bakar, 37, after they pleaded guilty to the charge.
They were charged with jointly committing an act of gross indecency at a Chinese cemetery in Batu Gantung, Ayer Itam, at 8.30am on March 22.
The offence, under Section 377D of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, carries a maximum jail term of two years upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, the incident came to light after a video went viral on Facebook showing two individuals engaging in indecent behaviour at the cemetery.
A complainant who viewed the clip was instructed by the cemetery management to lodge a police report, leading to further investigation.
The case drew wide public attention after a 38-second video circulated online, showing the couple being confronted by a woman who warned them that she would report the incident to the authorities. – Bernama
