KUCHING: The Magistrates’ Court here today (April 15) fined a 63-year-old senior citizen RM4,000, in default four months’ imprisonment, for causing the death of her 73-year-old boyfriend through negligence late last year.
The accused, identified as Aishah, pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan.
She was charged under Section 304A of the Penal Code, which provides for a sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
According to the charge, the offence was committed on November 29, 2025, at about 10.50 pm outside an unnumbered house in Kampung Atas Singai, Bau, where she struck the victim with a piece of wood.
Based on the facts of the case, police received a report from members of the public regarding a man found unconscious in front of a surau in the area.
Investigations later revealed that the accused had struck the victim, causing him to lose consciousness.
Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene at 12.18 am the following day.
It was understood that the accused and the victim had been in a relationship for over 10 years. Prior to the incident, the victim had allegedly confronted the accused over suspicions of her being involved with another person.
At about 8:00 pm on the same day, the victim allegedly went to the accused’s house and punched her twice on the left side of her face.
He also attempted to attack her with a motorcycle helmet and later tried to throw a brick at her, while allegedly threatening to kill her.
In mitigation, defence counsel, Abdul Rahman Mohamad Hazmi, submitted that the incident was not premeditated but arose from a sudden and violent altercation initiated by the deceased.
He said the accused acted in self-defence, using a piece of wood to stop the assault, and had intended to strike the victim’s shoulder. However, the blow landed on the victim’s head when he moved.
Counsel further emphasised that the accused had no intention of causing death. After the victim fell, she did not continue the assault but instead attempted to restrain him and sought assistance to tie his hands so he could be handed over to the authorities.
Upon realising the victim had stopped breathing, the accused went to the Bau District Police Headquarters to lodge a report, where she was subsequently arrested.
The court also heard that the accused, a widow and housewife with five children, has no prior criminal record and had been in a relationship with the deceased for a decade, during which he had not previously exhibited violent behaviour.
She was said to have cooperated fully with police throughout the investigation.
In light of her age, clean record, and the circumstances of the case, the defence prayed for a lenient sentence, submitting that the remand period already served was sufficient and that a custodial sentence would be unduly harsh.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani.
