KUCHING: A disagreement over roadworks outside a house in Padawan turned violent when a man punched his neighbour in the face, landing him one day’s imprisonment and a RM2,000 fine, or in default, two months’ imprisonment.
Morsy Johny Babas, 55, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan yesterday (June 30) to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
According to the charge, the incident occurred at about 1.40 pm on June 24 at a house in Kampung Abang, Jalan Puncak Borneo, Padawan, where the accused punched his 58-year-old neighbour in the face.
Court facts revealed that the accused went to the complainant’s house in an angry state and created a commotion before throwing a punch that struck the victim’s left cheek.
The blow caused the victim to fall, leaving him with bruises on his left cheek and mouth, as well as a bleeding wound to the back of his head.
He later sought treatment at Braang Bayur Health Clinic before lodging a police report.
Investigations found that the altercation was sparked by the accused’s dissatisfaction over earth-filling works carried out by a local council along the roadside in front of the complainant’s house, which is adjacent to the accused’s land.
A medical examination later confirmed the victim suffered a swollen bruise to the back-left side of his head and a cut on his left forearm.
The accused was arrested at the Kota Sentosa police station compound at about 10 pm on the same day.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly prosecuted the case, while the accused was unrepresented.
