Man jailed 15 years for beating friend to death over RM20 handphone

SHAH ALAM: The High Court here sentenced an odd-job labourer to 15 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of his friend three years ago.
High Court Judge Datuk Ahmad Nasfy Yasin made the decision after M. Silvam, 37, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge in court today.
Silvam was charged with causing the death of T. Saikeran, 43, at the five-foot way of No. 186, Jalan Langat 3, Taman Sri Langat, Kajang, Hulu Langat at about 3.40pm on June 13, 2012.
The charge under Section 304 (a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, carries a maximum jail term of up to 30 years and a fine.
According to the facts of the case, Silvam was out drinking with a friend S. Ragupathy at the venue when Saikeran and another friend joined them on the day of the incident at about 1pm.
Both the accused and the deceased when to a nearby shop at about 3pm. The accused then handed over his mobile phone to the deceased and demanded a payment of RM20.
The deceased only agreed to pay RM15, and an argument ensued. Silvam then took a metal pipe and hit the head of the deceased several times until he fell down, after which he threw the pipe and left the scene.
Witnesses saw Saikeran bleeding and called for help, but the deceased succumbed to his injuries by the time the ambulance arrived at the scene.
In mitigation, Deputy Public Prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin asked for a deterrent punishment as the case was serious and of public interest.
Meanwhile, Silvam's counsel K. Viknesvaran called for a lighter punishment as this was his client's first offence and he was remorseful for his action.
In passing sentence, Ahmad Nasfy said that the jail sentence will commence from the date of arrest on June 13, 2012.