8 years’ jail, RM30,000 fine for intoxicated driver who rammed into Kuching cop

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Pixabay

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, July 7: A 29-year-old man who drove while intoxicated by drugs and alcohol before ramming into a senior police officer at a roadblock was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and fined RM30,000 by the Magistrate’s Court here today.

Magistrate Nur Syaheeqa Nazwa Radzali ruled that the accused, Suaidie Suhaimi, would serve an additional year in jail if he defaults on the fine.

The court further ordered that the prison term commence immediately and disqualified the accused from obtaining or holding a driving licence for seven years.

No compensation was awarded to the injured officer after the court considered the accused’s financial means.

Suaidie pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 44(1A)(a) of the Road Transport Act, which prescribes a prison sentence of between seven and 10 years and a fine of RM30,000 to RM50,000 for causing injury while driving under the influence of intoxicating substances.

According to the charge, he was driving a compact car after consuming amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ketamine, leaving him incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle.

His actions resulted in injuries to a 46-year-old assistant superintendent of police (ASP) during an integrated crime prevention roadblock along Jalan Padungan at about 2.40am on June 20.

Court documents revealed that officers at the roadblock had instructed the accused to stop, but he instead accelerated through the checkpoint, striking the officer before fleeing the scene.

The officer sustained injuries to his waist and right elbow and was later treated at Sarawak General Hospital. Police traced and arrested the accused at about 7am the same day.

Investigators later found that the accused tested positive for drugs during a preliminary urine screening. He also admitted to consuming alcohol before driving.

In mitigation, the unrepresented accused expressed remorse, apologised to the court and asked for a lighter sentence, promising not to repeat the offence.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan, however, argued that a severe sentence was warranted, submitting that the case involved far more than a traffic offence as it endangered both members of the public and police personnel carrying out enforcement duties. — DayakDaily