By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Aug 14: A 25-year-old man was fined RM1,500 by the Magistrate’s Court here today for assaulting his friend following a dispute over debt and other personal matters.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu ordered Lexis Lim Shen Kae to pay the fine, with two months’ imprisonment as an alternative if he failed to do so.
Lim pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of one year, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
The court was told that the incident occurred at about 10.30pm on July 25 at Petanak Market along Jalan Petanak.
According to the facts of the case, an argument broke out between Lim and his 27-year-old friend over personal matters, including a debt owed between them.
During the confrontation, Lim punched the victim in the face and head before challenging him to retaliate.
However, the victim did not fight back as Lim’s brother, who was present at the scene, intervened and restrained Lim.
The assault left the victim with injuries to his chin and head.
The victim subsequently lodged a police report.
Investigations found a scratch beneath the left side of his chin, believed to have been caused by the accused’s fingernail.
A medical examination also confirmed that the victim had complained of pain in his chin and head.
Lim was unrepresented during the proceedings.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani appeared for the prosecution. — DayakDaily
