Former club bouncer gets five years' jail for blinding punch

 

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today sentenced a former club bouncer to five years in prison for punching a man in 2016, causing permanent blindness in the victim's right eye.

Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid found Jamsari Idris, 53, guilty after rejecting his defence that he did not recognise the victim, Ramdhan Aidil Norsham.

She ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, with witness testimonies corroborating the incident and the victim positively identifying Jamsari as the person who assaulted him.

“The accused has failed to raise any reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case (and) his defence was a bare denial, which does not amount to a legal defence.

“After maximum evaluation of the prosecution’s and defence’s cases, the court therefore finds that the prosecution has successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt,” Mazuliana said.

She also dismissed Jamsari’s application to stay the execution of his imprisonment, pending his appeal, meaning his jail time begins today.

Jamsari was charged with intentionally causing grievous hurt to Ramdhan, who was 18 at the time, at Liquid Club along Jalan P Ramlee at about 3.30am on Nov 6, 2016.

Although charged in 2019, Jamsari absconded after being released on bail and failed to attend several case management proceedings.

The prosecution subsequently sought a discharge not amounting to an acquittal before Jamsari was located and charged again under Section 325 of the Penal Code in 2024.

Vision loss impeded life

Before sentencing, the court also heard and considered the victim’s impact statement detailing his hardship after losing sight in one eye.

“Before the incident, I was a normal person. I could hold glasses without breaking them, ride a motorbike and drive a car, as any other normal person would. My vision was clear.

“However, after the incident, my life was affected in many ways. I had an accident where I hit a pothole when I was riding my motorbike, which broke three of my toes. I was laid off afterwards as I could not work normally.

“After I was laid off, I applied for jobs at 12 companies, but I did not hear back from any of them. I then opened a nasi lemak shop with my wife, where we earned around RM3,000 to RM4,000 a month.

“I wanted to earn side income as a lorry driver, as I have my wife, our three children and parents that I need to fend for. So I tried to apply for a GDL (goods driving licence).

“However, I failed as I could not fulfil the requirement because of my eyesight,” said Ramdhan, adding that he receives RM400 monthly assistance from the welfare department due to his disability.

“I humbly hope Your Lordship would consider the appropriate punishment for the accused,” the victim said twice when ending his statement.

Lawyer Shah Rizal Abdul Manan represented Jamsari, while deputy public prosecutor Ravindejit Kaur prosecuted.

Ramdhan, teary-eyed, was seen approaching the prosecutor after the proceedings ended and was heard thanking Ravindejit, saying the court’s decision had delivered justice for him. - Mkini