Syaufi Azli Shahrom, 27, was sentenced to 10 years’ jail by the Kuala Lumpur High Court from the date of his arrest on Jan 19, 2023.

He was also fined RM10,000, or one month’s jail in default.

Syaufi was charged with inflicting bodily injuries on Yip Choong Kong, 68, at Jalan Midah 1 in Taman Midah, Cheras, on Sept 16, 2022, which led to Yip’s death.

He was initially charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code at the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court in February 2023.

His lawyer, S Vinesh, said the prosecution called three witnesses yesterday and a fourth witness today before offering him a culpable homicide charge following representations made by the defence.

Justice Arief Emran Arifin accepted the culpable homicide charge and sentenced Syaufi to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the alternative charge.

The alternative charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder carries a sentence of up to 30 years’ imprisonment and a fine.

The murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code is punishable by death or 30 to 40 years in prison and whipping, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, Syaufi, who was riding a motorcycle, snatched Yip’s sling bag, causing him to fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.

Yip was taken to Hospital Cancelor Tuanku Muhriz and died from blunt force trauma to the head three days later.

The prosecution was led by Siti Khalijah Khalid while Syaufi was represented by Vinesh and Daneish Thayalan.