Jobless man in Sarikei to spend next 37 years behind bars for robbery, rape

SARIKEI (July 26): An unemployed man has been sentenced to a total of 37 years in prison and 23 strokes of the cane for committing robbery and rape in the Sungai Baron area here on July 1.

Sarikei police chief Supt Aswandy Anis said the 37-year-old had pleaded guilty to the charges before Sessions Court judge Stella Augustine Druce on Wednesday.

“For the first charge of rape under Section 376(2)(b) of the Penal Code, the accused received a 25-year prison term and 18 strokes of the cane.

“For the second charge of robbery under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code, the accused was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five strokes of the cane, to be served after completing the sentence for the first charge,” he said in a statement.

Aswandy added that the accused had also pleaded guilty to two other charges of committing house trespass and criminal intimidation, and was sentenced to imprisonment of one year (house trespass) and 18 months (criminal intimidation), to be served concurrently with the second charge.

“The accused is to serve his sentence from July 24 at Sibu Prisons,” he added.

Aswandy, who did not provide further details on the crimes perpetrated by the accused, advised the public to remain vigilant and prioritise the safety of themselves and their family.