Man gets five years for Batu Kawa hotel murder

KUCHING: A 33-year-old man was sentenced to a five-year jail term by the Magistrates’ Court today (Nov 16) in connection with the murder of a 51-year-old man outside a hotel in Batu Kawa on Oct 30.

Hartley pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan, who sentenced the accused to five years’ imprisonment from the date of his arrest on Nov 9, 2023.

The accused is charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder by causing death to the victim.

DPP Muhammad Asymawi Ghazali prosecuted the case, while the accused was not represented by legal counsel.

In the same proceeding, a youth offender, 19-year-old Hairulnizam, who was involved in the incident, also pleaded guilty upon being charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

Magistrate Mason Jaro set the case for further mention on Dec 18, 2023, to hear the social report involving the youth offender.

While awaiting the date, the youth offender was granted cash bail of RM5,000, with his mother as the local surety. The curt also ordered the youth offender to report to the nearest police station every two weeks.

DPP Muhammad Asymawi prosecuted the case while the youth offender was represented by Ralph Lee.