PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8 — The Court of Appeal today rejected a bid by a serial rapist, dubbed ‘Rambo Bentong’ to set aside his conviction and death sentence for murdering a 17-year-old girl, six years ago.
Justice Datuk Aziah Ali, Datuk Rohana Yusuf and Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham were unanimous in their decision on Rabidin Satir, 45, who received the punishment from the Temerloh High Court on August 6 last year.
Counsel Suzanawati Ismail had earlier submitted that the conviction was unsafe as the chemist who gave evidence had relied on the DNA report produced by another chemist and had also not analysed the site exhibits himself.
But deputy public prosecutor Tetralina Ahmed Fauzi said the conviction was safe as the DNA profile found on the victim and other evidence matched that of Rabidin’s.
Rabidin, from Kampung Libang Ulu, Tambunan, Sabah was found guilty of murdering the victim at a house in Kampung Ketari Bentong, Pahang, between 10.30pm on March 7, 2009 and 1.50pm on March 8, 2009.
Temerloh High Court judge Datuk Abdul Karim Ab Rahman convicted Rabidin of murder after the defence failed to cast any doubt on the prosecution’s case, but acquitted him of rape.
The judge said the court could not ascertain whether the rape was committed while the victim was alive or after her death.
The prosecution today did not appeal against the judge’s decision on the rape.
Meanwhile, the appellant appeared calm and relaxed throughout the proceeding in Dusun language translated from Bahasa Melayu by the court interpreter.
According to the facts of the case, the victim was at her computer in her room on March 7, 2009, at 11.30 pm.
She was found dead in the room the next day, March 8, 2009, covered with a blanket up to her neck, and blood was on her bed.
The forensic report found that Rabidin’s DNA profile matched with that found in the semen on the victim’s shorts and other items; the pathology report found 12 wounds and bruises on the victim.
The cause of death was an injury to the neck inflicted with a sharp weapon.
Rabidin was arrested on Nov 14, 2012 at a hill in Taman Sahbandar, Bentong; police found three sling bags which contained a mask, a few pairs of gloves, a homemade gun, a sheathed knife and a crowbar.
He is currently serving term for other offences. He was dubbed Rambo Bentong because he lived in the forest alone and used a ‘rambo’ knife to threaten and attack his victims.
On February 5, 2013, he was sentenced to 115 years and 50 strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court for four rape charges and one charge of committing a sexual act against the order of nature, between 2009 and 2011.
However, on Nov 29, 2013, the Temerloh High Court granted his appeal against the sentence and reduced the terms to 40 years, and 24 strokes of the cane.
On March 21, 2013, Rabidin was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for attacking and causing grievous hurt to Constable Mohd Suhaimi Md Razali with a machete at a house in Taman Shahbandar Husin, Bentong in 2012.
The term was reduced to 10 years after the court allowed his appeal. — Bernama
