Civil servant jailed for threatening wife

KOTA KINABALU: A civil servant, who threatened to kill his wife by pointing a machete and a spear at her, was sentenced to three years jail by the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday.

Magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus imposed the sentence on Aliuddin Norbidin, 46, after he pleaded guilty to making a verbal threat to his spouse at an unnumbered house at Kampung Indai in Tuaran on January 2.

The unrepresented accused was convicted under Section 506 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail of seven years or a fine or both, upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Papilus Primus told the court that the 53-year-old victim was getting ready to go to work on that day when her husband suddenly became angry and threatened her.

He threatened his spouse that it would be her last day on earth and asked her not to go to work unless if she wanted to die that day. While uttering the threatening words, he pointed the sharp weapons at her.

Fearing for her safety, the victim ran away from home and went to the nearest police station to lodge a report. Her husband was arrested on the same day at 10 am.

The victim, who was present in court, told the magistrate that she would not withdraw the police report lodged against her husband.

She claimed that she had lived in misery with her kids for the past 20 years and this was not the first time her husband had threatened her.

When the court asked why her husband became so angry with her, she said her husband had always suspected her of having sex or checking into a hotel for sex whenever she went to work.

In pleading for a lenient sentence, the accused asked to be fined only as punishment taking into account that his children are still schooling.

The prosecution however pressed the court to impose a deterrent sentence on the accused.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, an unemployed man was sentenced to 10 months jail for committing a similar offence.

Magistrate Afiq Agoes meted out the sentence on Muktadil Kamsad, 36, after he admitted to threatening his aunt at an unnumbe red house at Kampung Koidupan in Penampang on January 6.

The charge stated that the unrepresented accused had pointed a knife at the victim in a threatening manner.

The accused, who was also jailed for four months for entering the State illegally, was ordered by the magistrate to serve his jail term consecutively with his previous jail sentence.

Upon completing his punishment, the accused was ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.