KLANG — Celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias, better known as PU Azman, was sent to Kajang Prison today to begin his 24-year prison sentence for physical sexual assault of a 17-year-old boy two years ago.
Sessions Court judge Noridah Adam dismissed his bid to stay the execution of his punishment after finding that there were no special circumstances that would warrant the stay.
Earlier, she sentenced Azman Syah to 24 years jail and two strokes of the cane after finding him guilty on two counts of physical sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy.
Azman Syah, clad in blue, nodded whenasked by Noridah if he understood the court’s decision.
In the application for the stay, his lawyer, Mohamad Zahid Ahmad said that his client had never been convicted of any criminal offence and that this case was his first.
However, deputy public prosecutor Nurul ‘Izzati Mohamad said there are no special and extraordinary circumstances for the court to allow the application.
Azman Syah, 43, was charged with two counts of committing physical sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy at a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang, here, at 12.15am and 1am on Feb 20 and June 29, 2022.
The charges were framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides imprisonment not exceeding 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.
In deciding sentencing for the celebrity preacher guilty, judge Norah said the defence failed to raise a reasonable doubt at the end its case.
The judge also ordered Azman to undergo counselling throughout his time in prison. After he completes his sentence, he will be placed under two years of police supervision.
The court today heard the victim’s impact statement which was presented by Nurul ‘Izzati.
In his statement, the victim said that he now suffers from prolonged trauma and has experienced both physical and emotional harm after the ‘dark’ incident.
The victim now lives in constant fear when in public, and his family is also embarrassed to participate in local community activities, the statement said.
When approached by reporters after the proceedings, Azman’s lawyer Zahid said they would file an appeal at the High Court here soon.
Bernama reports that Azman is also facing nine more charges related to sexual crimes, namely five charges in the Seremban Sessions Court, two cases in the Shah Alam Sessions Court and one case each in the Klang Magistrate’s Court and the Ampang Sessions Court. — September 27, 2024