THE Tawau High Court sentenced a father of eight to 14 years in jail today after finding him guilty of causing his wife’s death by negligence six years ago.

Judge Dr Lim Hock Leng ordered Jakaria Abu Bakar, 56, to serve the prison sentence from the date of his arrest on February 4, 2019.

Jakaria was initially charged under section 302 of the penal code with murdering Norminah Bollok, 39, at an unnumbered house in Kampung Pinggir Bakau, Semporna, at 4am on January 22, 2017.

However, the charge against Jakaria was amended to section 304(a) of the penal code for causing death by negligence after the court found an element of provocation due to a husband-wife argument.

It was also found that during the argument, there was a scuffle for a machete, resulting in the wife being stabbed.

Deputy public prosecutor Hurman Hussain, while lawyer Andy Tay represented the accused.

In the same court, judge Lim also sentenced a 51-year-old illegal Filipino migrant to life in jail and 12 strokes of the cane after finding him guilty of drug trafficking.

Nedzmar Palaudin was charged under section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1957 (Act 234) for trafficking 128.86g of syabu at the roadside of Jalan Dahlia, in front of the Nisah Trading store in Lahad Datu at 7am on December 16, 2021.

Lawyer Abdul Gani Zelika represented the accused while Hurman prosecuted. – Bernama, November 29, 2023.