BATU PAHAT: A car wash employee was sent to prison for one month after failing to pay a RM1,500 fine imposed by the court for slapping his girlfriend in an argument on Thursday (Nov 7).
The sentence was meted out by magistrate Suhaila Shafi'uddin here today.
Rosmaini Sariman, 43, a divorcee, pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury to his 33-year-old girlfriend at a car wash in Taman Maju at 2.30pm on Nov 7.
The offence carried a maximum penalty of a year's jail, a RM2,000 fine, or both.
According to case details, the argument began when the woman came to meet Rosmaini at his workplace, where she threw his phone during the disagreement.
She attempted to leave the scene, but Rosmaini pursued her on his motorcycle and managed to reconcile with her.
However, the argument reignited while they were riding back on the motorcycle, which led Rosmaini to pull over.
It was then that Rosmaini reportedly lost his temper and slapped her on the face and head.
The woman later filed a report at the Batu Pahat district police headquarters and Rosmaini was arrested on the same day.
Deputy public prosecutor Farah Wahidah Mohd Sharip led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by Normahani Raais of the National Legal Aid Foundation.
The court imposed a RM1,500 fine on Rosmaini, with a one-month prison term as an alternative if the fine was not paid.