Bandar Seri Begawan - The Magistrate's Court in the capital yesterday passed a sentence of two months' imprisonment on a man convicted after trial of a charge of assaulting a policeman while having pleaded guilty to appearing in public in a state of intoxication and causing annoyance to people.
Thirty-four-year-old Mohd Norhairollmi bin Bini pleaded with the court presided over by Senior Magistrate Pg Masni Pg Hj Bahar to impose a fine and show leniency towards imposing the sentence as he was divorced and has custody over his four kids, however, his ex-wife had taken their fourth child without his consent.
Senior Magistrate Pg Masni upheld the need to protect public interest and that a deterrent message has to be sent out to reflect the seriousness of offences committed by the defendant.
The court was satisfied with the prosecution's case whereby evidence from witnesses corroborated the assault on PC 4869 Robi Shahrimin bin Hj Ibrahim including medical evidence.
Apart from his own guilty plea of the charge of appearing in public while being intoxicated and having caused annoyance to people, the court was shown results of a blood sample from the defendant where it confirms the defendant was highly intoxicated that night.
The defendant headbutted PC Robi on the face and punched his face twice with intent to prevent PC Robi from discharging his duty as a public servant at about lOpm on April 3, 2012 at Bangunan Wisma Jaya, Jalan Pemancha in the capital.
He was also drunk that night and caused public nuisance.
The defendant faced three other charges of assaulting civilians which, following the victims' willingness, were compounded by the court.
DPP Dk Didi Pg Latiff prosecuted the case.
--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin