29-04-2025
Druggie in Kuching gets five years' jail, one stroke
Fedrick (right) being escorted out of the courtroom at the Kuching Court Complex. – Photo by Kentigern Minggu
KUCHING (April 29): A 34-year-old habitual drug user was today sentenced by the Sessions Court here to five years' imprisonment and one stroke of the cane for methamphetamine and amphetamine abuse.
Judge Saiful Bahari Adzmi delivered the sentence against Fedrick Steward Mancha, after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (DDA), punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.
Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA 1952 provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, while Section 39C(1)(b) prescribes a mandatory custodial sentence of not less than five years and not more than seven years, along with a maximum of three strokes of the cane upon conviction.
In passing the sentence, Saiful also ordered Fedrick to undergo supervision for two years after serving his custodial sentence.
Fedrick committed the offence at the Padawan District Narcotic Crime Investigation Division at approximately 1.45pm on Dec 30, 2024.
He has two prior convictions for similar offence under Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA 1952, dated Jan 26, 2022 and April 19, 2022.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ruvinasini Pandian prosecuted, while Fedrick was unrepresented by legal counsel.
