Victim described as a living corpse, case deserves maximum sentence - Judge

"This case involves the destruction of two lives," said Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Noorin Badaruddin before sentencing Rosmaini Abdul Raof to 14 years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm to his wife, Jahidah Nordin @ Sylvester, five years ago.

The maximum sentence for Rosmaini, 43, was imposed after the Court of Appeal today allowed the prosecution's appeal against the previous 10-year prison sentence by the High Court.

The decision was made by a three-judge panel chaired by Datuk Azman Abdullah and comprising Noorin and Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid.

Delivering the court's decision, Noorin said that the prison sentence previously imposed on the accused was not adequate given the seriousness of the offence committed.

She said it was not a case of ordinary grievous bodily harm but rather a brutal and continuous attack by a husband on his pregnant wife, which left the victim in a permanent vegetative state.

"The evidence of the act shows extensive and horrific injuries, including brain haemorrhage, fractures in several parts and severe neurological damage. The victim's condition is irreversible, and she is completely dependent on others.

"The evidence of the impact on the victim's family, as argued, is also very heartbreaking. The victim is described as a living corpse who requires full-time care for many years with no hope of recovery.

"The effects of his actions not only affect the victim, but also involve the child who was conceived at the time of the incident. The child suffered developmental delays and disabilities as a result of the incident," she said as reported by Harian Metro.

Noorin said the case involved should be given the maximum sentence provided by law to reflect the seriousness of the offence, meet the requirements of justice and send a strong message against such acts.

On November 4 last year, the High Court upheld the Sessions Court's decision on December 9, 2024, which convicted and sentenced Rosmaini to 10 years in prison.

Judge Atan Mustaffa Yussof Ahmad, however, allowed the execution of the sentence to be postponed pending the final appeal.

On June 17, 2021, Rosmaini pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm to his third ex-wife.

According to the charge sheet, the accused was charged with intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to his third ex-wife, Jahidah, by hitting her head, face and hands and stamping the back of his wife's body, causing grievous bodily harm.

The accused was charged with committing the offence at an apartment in Jalan Tani, Kampung Aman, Larkin at about 6 am, May 4, 2021.

Therefore, the accused committed an offence under Section 325 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 326A of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine, while Section 326A provides for a prison sentence of twice the maximum period according to the offence section. – May 4, 2026