PETALING JAYA: A business owner was sentenced to six months’ jail by the magistrates’ court here today for assaulting a woman who was his girlfriend at the time.
Magistrate Amira Sariaty Zainal sentenced Hoh Peng Onn, 48, after finding him guilty of assault under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
According to the facts of the case, Hoh assaulted Liaw Ju Shuang, 28, on Oct 5, 2024 at an apartment unit in Seri Kembangan.
The court ordered him to pay RM5,000 in damages at the request of deputy public prosecutor Syed Ahmed Khabir Abdul Rahman.
The court said Hoh’s claim that Liaw had "provoked" him amounted to a bare denial.
"The victim sought help from a neighbour after she was assaulted. The neighbour saw (fresh) injuries around her eyes and body and subsequently lodged a police report (for Liaw).
"There was no reason for her to fabricate a story against the accused," said Amira, adding that a doctor from Serdang Hospital confirmed Liaw’s injuries.
The court stayed the execution of Hoh’s six-month prison sentence after his lawyer, Cheow Wee, said he would appeal to the High Court.
Cheow added that Hoh was remorseful and maintained that the assault stemmed from a misunderstanding.
Amira said Hoh had to pay RM5,000 in damages by today or risk another two months’ imprisonment.