Lorry driver charged with rape, murder
SIBU: A lorry driver from Kanowit was yesterday produced in the Sessions Court here to face two felony charges of rape and murder, but no plea was taken from him.
Philip Uja, 42, is alleged to have murdered a 26-year- old woman at a rented house in Tiong Hua Road here three weeks ago.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Aariffin Musa applied for the case to be fixed for further mention pending the chemist’s and autopsy reports.
Judge Caroline Bee Majanil fixed the case for further mention on Oct 2.
In the first charge, Philip is alleged to have murdered Nurnia Azalea Priscilla Edward at an unnumbered house in Tiong Hua Road between 8pm on Aug 1 and 2.30pm on Aug 2.
The charge was filed under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
In the second charge, Philip is alleged to have raped the same person at the same time and place.
The charge was framed under Section 376(4) of the Penal Code which provides for the death penalty or a jail term not less than 15 years and not more than 30 year with whipping of not less than 10 strokes, on conviction.
According to newspaper reports, the victim, who only got married last year, was found dead in her rented house with her hands and legs tied behind her back.
The victim, who worked at a government department in UTC Sibu, was found dead by a colleague who went to check on her after she failed to show up for work.
The victim, from Kanowit, lived alone at the rented house. Her husband works in Tatau. Philip was arrested following a public tip- off a week later at a longhouse in Julau where he was believed to have gone into hiding.