Conviction and Ruling
KUALA LUMPUR: A 20-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison today for stealing a rented Honda Civic and attempting to kill the vehicle’s co-owner during a dramatic car chase in Putrajaya last October.
Sessions Court Judge Izralizam Sanusi convicted Muhammad Wan Azhar Azman of reckless driving that endangered the life of Mohamed Jalil Iskandar, 28, who had clung to the bonnet of the car but was thrown off and severely injured.
Wan Azhar received a 10-year sentence for attempted murder and a concurrent 4-year sentence for theft. The judge considered various factors, including the victim’s injuries and the social report, as well as the defendant’s plea for a reduced sentence.
Sentencing Details and Judge’s Statement
“The victim’s injuries were severe, and he was in ICU for five days. Had he died, you would have been charged with murder,” said the judge.
Wan Azhar, who was unrepresented in court, appealed for leniency, claiming he had hopes and plans for his future.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Aisyah Mohamed Zanyuin called for the maximum sentence, pointing out the severity of the crime and the lasting impact on the victim, who suffered extensive injuries and is still receiving treatment.
Incident Details
The car owner, Joshua Jeyaseelan David, 30, rented the car to Wan Azhar’s girlfriend on October 22. After she failed to return the vehicle, Joshua used a GPS tracker to find it in Putrajaya, where it was being driven by Wan Azhar.
Jalil attempted to stop the car, which had been fitted with a false number plate, but Wan Azhar refused and reversed into him, forcing Jalil to cling to the bonnet. After being dragged for several kilometers, Jalil was thrown off the car and injured.
Wan Azhar was arrested on October 25 and later led police to the car, which was found at a civil servant’s housing complex in Presint 5.