PUTRAJAYA: The Kuala Terengganu High Court has reduced the prison sentence of a maintenance worker from seven years’ jail to 10 months imprisonment for causing grievous hurt to his late nephew.
Judicial Commissioner Yusrin Faidz Yusoff partially allowed Md Zaidi Taib's appeal for a reduction of his custodial sentence imposed on him by the Sessions Court in 2024, after ruling that the seven years’ imprisonment was manifestly excessive.
He also ordered Md Zaidi, 58, to pay a fine of RM10,000 in default six months’ imprisonment as well as compensation of RM25,000 to the victim’s family, failing which he will serve six months’ imprisonment.
The Sessions Court found Md Zaidi guilty of voluntarily causing grievous hurt to Khairuddin Rani, 40, in a house in Kampung Durian Mas Manir, Kuala Terengganu, at 1.15pm on Feb 2, 2023.
In his grounds of judgment dated April 13 uploaded on the judiciary’s website, Judicial Commissioner Yusrin Faidz said Md Zaidi had caused grievous hurt to his own nephew using a wooden stick, resulting in fractures to both arms.
The Judicial Commissioner said the assault was due to a long-standing family dispute over land ownership, and the land dispute arose from family conflict rather than unprovoked aggression.
"There have been notable developments since the trial and after the conviction was recorded, namely that the victim had passed away and his widow wanted to settle the case amicably,” he said.
Judicial Commissioner Yusrin Faidz said the willingness to make amends demonstrates genuine remorse and a commitment to repairing the harm caused, which is particularly significant in the context of a family dispute.
He also said the appellant had offered to pay compensation in the sum of RM25,000 to the victim’s family as a gesture of remorse and reconciliation. — Bernama
