A three-member Court of Appeal bench led by justice P Ravinthran allowed C Manickkam’s appeal on his sentence.

However, the panel which also comprised justices Ahmad Nasfy Yasin and Nordin Hassan dismissed his appeal against his conviction.

“There was overwhelming evidence to support the conviction as you brought in clients to assist the hotel management.

“There were also agent provocateurs to observe your activities,” Ravinthran added.

However, he said the bench had considered mitigating factors and agreed to reduce the jail term.

“The five years will begin from the date of arrest (Nov 15, 2017).”

Manickkam will no longer serve his sentence in Sungai Buloh prison as the five years had been completed after taking into account the one-third remission for good behaviour.

He will instead be placed at an immigration depot before being deported home.

Manickkam, 48, committed the offence at a budget hotel in Rawang, Selangor, at about 6pm on Nov 15, 2017 by assisting the management in keeping three Indian national women for the purpose of prostitution.

The offence is punishable with a jail term of up to 15 years and a fine.

A sessions court found Manickkam guilty of the offence on March 3, 2018 while his appeal to the High Court was also dismissed.

Lawyer R Balamurali represented Manickkam while deputy public prosecutor Wong Poi Yoke prosecuted.