Hearing of ‘decapitated woman’ case fixed for June 25

KUCHING: The High Court has fixed June 25 for further mention of a case involving a man who allegedly decapitated an elderly woman in Roban, Saratok.

It is understood that the accused, Bandang Langu, 59, will be defended by Counsel Peli Aron and that the hearing is set for Aug 19 to 23 and Aug 26 to 30 at the Sri Aman High Court. No plea was taken from the accused yet. The case was only mentioned in chambers yesterday. Bandang is accused of cutting off the head of Gelingi Ngaing, 75, between 2pm and 3pm on July 25, 2018 inside one of units in Rumah Lumpuh, Bratong Batu, Roban in Saratok.

Based on the brief facts of the case and previous news reports, Gelingi and a close relative were watching television when the accused allegedly stormed into the room carrying a machete and slashed the elderly woman on the neck.

The victim’s relative ran out of the room together with a five-year- old child, and hid behind a bush at the rear of the longhouse.

It is also said that Bandang took away the victim’s severed head and a motorcycle, and torched them at different locations. The police later recovered the charred skull. It is also believed that Bandang is of unsound mind but this has yet to be ascertained. He is said to be the victim’s neighbour in the longhouse.

Murder, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction. The offence is non-bailable.

DPP Ronie Entili prosecuted.