KUCHING: A 23-year-old labourer who punched and bit his wife over cheating allegation was sentenced to 11 months’ jail by the Magistrates’ Court here today.
Albert Keling Franky pleaded guilty before Senior Assistant Registrar Syazwani Sajeli.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 326A of the same Code.
Section 323 provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
Section 326A provides for an enhanced term of imprisonment of up to twice the maximum term prescribed for the offence when the victim is the offender’s spouse or certain other specified family members.
The court ordered Albert to serve the 11-month sentence from the date of conviction.
The charge stated that Albert had, at about 1.30pm on Sept 20, at a rented house near Kampung Kudei Lama Kuching, voluntarily caused hurt to his 21-year-old wife.
The court heard that the incident occurred after the couple became embroiled in a verbal argument.
Albert had accused his wife of having an affair with one of her father’s friends and became dissatisfied when she talked back to him during the argument.
The situation escalated when Albert punched the right side of her face and bit her left wrist, causing her pain.
The victim subsequently lodged a police report over the incident.
Police from Satok Police Station arrested Albert at about 3.10pm on the same day to assist investigations.
A medical report later confirmed that the victim had sustained injuries to her face and a bite mark on her left wrist.
Investigations found that Albert was the victim’s husband, lost his temper and had acted aggressively during the altercation.
The accused was unrepresented, while Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdurrahman Abrar Jarni appeared for the prosecution.
