M Vaitheswaran, 24, at the Magistrates’ Court in Bukit Mertajam, January 27, 2022. — Bernama pic
BUKIT MERTAJAM, Jan 27 — A former salon worker was sentenced to three years in prison and fined RM10,000, in default a years’ jail, by the Magistrates’ Court here, for reckless driving that resulted in the death of his friend three years ago.
Sessions Court Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin, who presided as Magistrate, handed down the sentence after the accused M Vaitheswaran, 24, failed to prove his case beyond any reasonable doubt.
Ahzal Fariz also ordered that Vaitheswaran’s driving licence be suspended for five years.
In sentencing, Ahzal Fariz said although it was a road accident case, the accused had driven his car in a dangerous manner which had resulted in a death and as such, he should be punished accordingly.
“In this case, the Court must also take into consideration public interest,” he said.
Earlier in mitigation, the accused’s counsel K. Paramanathan said Vaitheswaran had lost his job and had his driving licence suspended after being charged three years ago.
“After the incident the accused was traumatised and I wish to appeal for a lighter sentence,” he said
State Director of Prosecution Datuk Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim and deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Nazri Abdul Rahim however urged for a heavier penalty as a lesson and to prevent a repeat of the offence.
Vaitheswaran was charged under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, for reckless driving which had resulted in the death of Moey Yun Peng, after his sports utility vehicle (SUV) plunged off the Penang Bridge on January 20, 2019.
In the 2.54am incident, Vaitheswaran who was driving a Toyota Vios car collided with the SUV driven by Moey on the bridge, causing the latter to lose control of his vehicle and plunging into the sea at KM4.0 on the Penang Bridge (Perai bound). — Bernama