Mohd Faizal bin Haji Jamil, a 40-year-old local, has been sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment and one whipping by the Intermediate Court for assaulting his estranged wife, Fauziah binti Osman.
The sentencing, handed down on June 3 by Judge Pengiran Hajah Norismayanti binti Pengiran Haji Ismail, follows the defendant’s guilty plea to charges stemming from the assault on April 27.
Prosecutor Nurul Husna binti Abidin revealed that that evening, the victim, 29, was visiting her children at Mohd Faizal’s residence at Kampong Pandan in Kuala Belait. The couple’s relationship had already deteriorated, and they were living separately.
As the victim prepared to leave, Mohd Faizal accused her of infidelity. When she questioned his own fidelity, he demanded to see her mobile phone. Upon her refusal, he slapped her, forcibly took her phone, and bit her hand until she provided the password.
Enraged by messages from another man, Mohd Faizal called the man and assaulted the victim, using both his hands and the phone to strike her head and body. Even after she fell to the ground, he continued to kick her and step on her, causing injuries.
The assault only stopped when his parents returned home. However, when the victim attempted to escape, Mohd Faizal forced her into his bedroom and continued the assault until her mother arrived and took her to the Kuala Belait police station. The victim was then taken to Suri Seri Begawan Hospital for treatment.
The victim’s injuries were classified as grievous, requiring 10 days of medical leave and treatments.
Mohd Faizal was arrested on April 28 and admitted to the assault during police questioning. He has a prior conviction for a similar offence under Section 323 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22, for which he was sentenced in March.
The judge condemned Mohd Faizal’s actions as abhorrent, highlighting the need for a deterrent sentence.
She noted that a husband should protect his family, not harm them.
The judge pointed out that Mohd Faizal had not learned from his previous conviction, as he committed a more serious offence just a month later.
The prosecutor emphasised the severity of Fauziah’s injuries and the continued medical treatment she requires.
The prosecutor supported the deterrent sentence, arguing that it was in the public interest to prevent such acts of violence. – Fadley Faisal
