Ex-Fast Food Worker Jailed for Car Theft and Attempted Murder
10-year sentence for man who stole a car, attempted to murder the co-owner, and caused severe injuries during the act.
Conviction and Sentencing
KUALA LUMPUR: A former fast food worker was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Sessions Court today for stealing a rented Honda Civic and attempting to murder the vehicle’s co-owner in Putrajaya in October.
Judge Izralizam Sanusi found Muhammad Wan Azhar Azman, 20, guilty of stealing the car and recklessly driving it, knowing it could harm Mohamed Jalil Iskandar, 28. Jalil had clung to the bonnet of the car but was eventually flung off and severely injured.
Wan Azhar was sentenced to 10 years for attempted murder and a 4-year sentence for theft, to be served concurrently. The judge considered the social report from the Welfare Department and Wan Azhar’s plea for a lighter sentence, alongside the prosecution’s aggravating factors.
The Court’s Ruling
“The offences you committed are very serious,” said the judge. “The victim suffered serious injuries and was in ICU for five days, requiring long-term treatment. Had he died, you could have been charged with murder.”
Wan Azhar, standing in court in a white T-shirt and black pants, pleaded for a reduced sentence, saying, “I am still young, and I have plans for my future.”
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Aisyah Mohamed Zanyuin called for a maximum 20-year sentence to serve as a deterrent for similar crimes, stressing the severity of the offences.
“His actions were selfish. He wanted to flee with the car to avoid paying the RM150 rental per day. The victim suffered severe injuries and is now facing a lifetime of trauma.”
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred on October 22, when the car owner, Joshua Jeyaseelan David, 30, rented the car to Wan Azhar’s girlfriend in Bandar Sunway. She was supposed to return it the next day but became uncontactable. Joshua located the car using a GPS tracker and discovered it in Putrajaya, where it was being driven by Wan Azhar.
Jalil asked Wan Azhar to stop the car, which had a different number plate, but Wan Azhar refused and attempted to reverse and ram into him. Jalil clung to the bonnet for several kilometers before being thrown off the road.
Wan Azhar was arrested on October 25 and later led authorities to the car, which was found at a public housing unit in Presint 5.
