Man Who Slashed Rider For Honking Sentenced To 10 Years’ Jail, 2 Strokes Of The Cane

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The man who attacked a motorcyclist with a meat cleaver during a road rage incident on the Federal Highway last month has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment and two strokes of the cane after pleading guilty

According to Bernama, Shah Alam Sessions Court Judge 'Ainul Bashiirah Dona Don Biyajid handed the sentence to Azmi Jantan, 43, earlier today, 8 July, and ordered his prison term to run from the date of his arrest on 11 June.

Azmi pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing grievous hurt to the victim with a meat cleaver along the motorcycle lane at KM14.6 of the Federal Highway near Section 13 in Shah Alam.

He was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and may also include a fine or whipping.

The victim, Abu Mishary Mohd Fairus, suffered serious injuries, including fractures to his shoulder, left arm, fingers and wrist, as well as injuries to his head and arm.

The prosecutors had sought a heavier sentence

Deputy public prosecutor Amir Saifullah Mohammad Sallehuddin urged the court to impose a heavy sentence, arguing that the attack stemmed from a trivial dispute after the victim honked at the accused while riding along the highway.

"The weapon used was a meat cleaver, a sharp weapon capable of causing death, and the accused was fortunate that the victim survived," the prosecutor argued.

He added that public interest should be taken into account because such incidents could create fear among road users, arguing that a deterrent sentence was necessary to curb road bullying and extreme road rage.

The accused claimed he planned to throw the cleaver away

According to the New Straits Times, Azmi, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lighter sentence, adding that he had no dependents.

Before sentencing, Judge 'Ainul Bashiirah asked whether he knew the victim.

He replied that he did not.

When asked why he had been carrying a meat cleaver, Azmi said he had brought it from home because he intended to throw it away in a rubbish bin, the English daily reported.

The judge said she had already taken his mitigation into account before delivering the sentence.

The New Straits Times also reported that Azmi remained expressionless throughout the proceedings.

He is expected to serve his sentence at Kajang Prison.

Footage of the attack, recorded by another motorcyclist's camera, went viral after it was uploaded on social media

Following the attack and after being discharged from the hospital a week later, the victim shared on Facebook that he was recovering from surgery and described the experience as traumatic.

"I lived through a traumatising ordeal," he wrote.

He also thanked members of the public who supported him during his recovery, saying the kindness he received was what he remembered most from the ordeal.