The High Court in Temerloh today sentenced a 43-year-old man dubbed ‘Rambo Bentong’ to death by hanging for the murder of a teenager five years ago.

Justice Abdul Karim Ab Rahman said, in convicting Rabidin Satir, that the defence had failed to raise any reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

Rabidin from Kampung Libang Ulu, Tambunan, Sabah, was found guilty of killing Annie Kok Yin Cheng, 17, at Lot 4168 Kampung Ketari Bentong near Temerloh between 11.30pm on March 7, 2009 and 1.50pm on March 8, 2009.

In his judgment, Abdul Karim noted that Rabidin, who was the only defence witness, took a long time to present his testimony and had only responded with “I don’t remember” during cross-examination.

Abdul Karim described Rabidin’s testimony as a mere denial and an afterthought.

Rabidin, who was in a wheelchair, was expressionless when the decision was read out to him in Kadazandusun by an interpreter.

The court however acquitted him of another charge of raping the victim.

On Feb 5, 2013, Rabidin was sentenced to 115 years’ imprisonment and ordered to receive 50 strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to four charges of rape and one charge of committing sex against the order of nature.

On Nov 29, 2013, the High Court allowed his appeal to reduce the sentence and slashed the punishment to 40 years and 24 strokes of the cane.

On March 21 last year, he was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to attacking and causing hurt to constable Mohd Suhaimi Md Razali, 24 with a machete at a house in Taman Shahbandar Husin, Bentong in 2012.

Following his appeal, the court reduced the sentence to 10 years.

- Bernama