KOTA BARU: The High Court here today sentenced a couple to seven and eight years in prison for causing a man's death by negligence in Kampung Gondang, Ketereh, four years ago.
Judge Datuk Azhar Mokhtar sentenced Maizatul Shima Abdullah, 25, to eight years' imprisonment, while Muhammad Za'im Syakir Sha'ari, 24, was jailed for seven years.
The sentences are to take effect from the dates of their respective arrests.
The couple were charged with jointly committing the offence at an old Muslim cemetery in Kampung Gondang between 10pm on May 14, 2022, and 1am the following day.
They were charged under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same code, in connection with the death of Muhamad Fahmi Adli Mat.
In delivering his decision, Azhar said the court had considered submissions by deputy public prosecutor Hazwanie Husain Bustari, including the seriousness of the offence.
The court also took into account the fact that the victim's body had been concealed and was only discovered several days later.
However, the judge considered mitigating factors, including the young age of both accused, before deciding on the sentences.
The court also ordered both accused to pay RM2,500 each in compensation to the victim's family under Section 425A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Both will face an additional six months' imprisonment if they fail to pay the compensation.
The court registrar will determine the method of payment to the victim's family.
Maizatul was represented by lawyers Azahir Nasir and Nurul Amira Mohd Zaidi, while Za'im was represented by Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal and Fatini Athirah Baharin.
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