Ex-celebrity preacher's jail term cut to 12 years on appeal
High Court Judge Shamsulbahri Ibrahim delivered this decision after considering written and oral arguments from both defense and prosecution teams. The court maintained the punishment of two strokes of the rotan.
'Since the two counts of physical sexual assault involved identical witnesses and are components of the same case, I find it appropriate for the sentences to run concurrently,' Shamsulbahri was quoted as saying.
READ MORE: Celebrity preacher found guilty for sexual assaulting teenager, gets 24 years jail, rotan
Defense counsel Fahmi Adilah argued that both charges originated from the same case with the same victim and witnesses.
He claimed the sessions court had failed to consider Section 102 of the Subordinate Courts Act, which places a 20-year cap on total sentencing.
Fahmi contended that High Court intervention was warranted as the trial proceeded without delays under a single case number.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Tengku Najiha Zahari countered that the sessions court's original ruling was reasonable and not excessive.
She maintained there was no continuity of action in the case, and although the trial consolidated witnesses, this didn't justify concurrent sentencing.
She urged the court to prioritize public interest, noting that Azman's position as a religious figure and the victim's young age called for strict punishment.
READ MORE: PU Azman jailed seven years, two whipping for physical sexual assault
Previously, the sessions court had sentenced 44-year-old Azman to 12 years imprisonment and one stroke of the rotan for each offense, with prison terms to be served consecutively.
Azman popularly known as PU Azman faced charges of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy at a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang, Klang on February 20 and June 29, 2022.
The charges were brought under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for imprisonment up to 20 years and caning upon conviction.
ALSO READ: PU Azman sentenced to six years prison, caning for additional sexual assault conviction
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Man claims trial to raping, sexually assaulting 13-year-old daughter in Miri
The court set this Sept 18 for case management and ordered the accused to be remanded at Miri Central Prison pending the date. – Photo by Jenifer Laeng MIRI (Aug 6): A man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to charges of raping and sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter. The 53-year-old entered the plea before Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman after the charges under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 were read by a court interpreter. On the first charge under Section 376(3), which carries a jail term of between eight and 30 years and whipping upon conviction, he is accused of raping the victim in a house here at about 2am on April 20, 2023. On the second charge under Section 14(a), which carries a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping upon conviction, he allegedly committed physical sexual assault on the victim at the same location at around 12.30am on July 20 this year. The prosecution urged the court not to grant bail as the accused resides in the same house as the victim. The court set this Sept 18 for case management and ordered the accused to be remanded at Miri Central Prison pending the date.
Sinar Daily
11 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Museum staff pleads not guilty to sexually abusing 6-year-old South Korean girl
The accused entered his plea before Judge Irwan Suainbon after the charge was read to him in Malay. The accused pleads not guilty to the charge of sexual abuse involving a South Korean child last July. GEORGE TOWN - A museum counter staff member has pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court in George Town to a charge of sexually abusing a six-year-old South Korean girl at a hotel in July. The accused, Chong Khay Tee, 18, entered his plea before Judge Irwan Suainbon after the charge was read to him in Malay. He was not represented by legal counsel during the proceedings. According to the charge sheet, Chong, who works at the TeddyVille Museum inside the hotel, is accused of touching the private parts of the young victim at around 4pm on July 31. The charge falls under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping upon conviction. During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Jung Keong offered bail at RM10,000 with one surety, while also requesting several conditions to be imposed. 'I request additional conditions that the accused not be allowed to approach the victim or interfere with prosecution witnesses. 'In addition, the accused's passport must be surrendered to the court, if available, until the case is concluded,' said Lee. The accused, dressed in a purple jersey, appeared confused when asked to respond. 'I don't know what to say. I just want a lower bail,' he pleaded. The court granted bail of RM8,000 with one surety and accepted all additional conditions proposed by the prosecution. The case has been set for mention on Oct 6, pending the submission of documents and the appointment of a defence lawyer. More Like This
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Museum employee claims trial to sexually assaulting South Korean child
GEORGE TOWN: A museum employee was charged at the Sessions Court here today with sexually assaulting a 6-year-old South Korean girl last month. Chong Khay Tee, 18, claimed trial to the charge that was read out to him before judge Irwan Suainbon. According to the charge, Chong is alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl at a museum located in a hotel in Batu Ferringhi about 4pm on July 31. The charge was framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for up to 20 years in jail and whipping upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Lee Jun Keong prosecuted, while the accused was unrepresented. During proceedings, Lee proposed that bail be set at RM10,000 and asked the court to prohibit the accused from disturbing the victim and prosecution witnesses until the case is resolved. Chong said he worked at the museum's counter and requested a lower bail amount. "I don't know what to say. I ask for the bail to be reduced," he said, appearing confused during proceedings. The court set bail at RM8,000 with one surety. The accused was ordered not to approach the victim or prosecution witnesses and to surrender his passport to the court. The court set Oct 6 for document submission and to appoint legal representation for the accused.
