Tout gets one year in jail for stabbing

BOGOR (JP): Bogor District Court has sentenced a 20-year-old man who worked as a tout for public minibuses to one year in jail for stabbing a passenger who attempted to break up a fight between him and another man.

Presiding judge Sri Koestati told the court on Thursday that defendant Iwan Sabuno was guilty of seriously injuring Jefri Ricardo on Oct. 20 last year at the intersection of Jl. Semeru and Jl. Mawar.

"The victim suffered a severe stab wound to the right side of his chest and had to be hospitalized," the judge said.

The dispute started when the minibus driver gave Iwan Rp 300 for his assistance, which consisted of calling out to prospective passengers.

"The defendant asked for more money, got angry and started to hit the vehicle's body with his hands," Sri said.

Buang Hidayat, a passenger sitting in the front seat who was related to the driver, was upset by his actions, Sri said.

"Buang alighted from the vehicle and warned the defendant to be more polite when asking for money from someone."

Iwan responded by trying to attack Buang, Sri said.

Jefri, who witnessed the altercation from the back seat, jumped off the bus and tried to separate the men.

An enraged Iwan ordered him not to interfere and immediately return to his seat, the judge said.

Jefri obeyed but the defendant followed him to his seat and stabbed him, she said.

Her sentence was in accordance with prosecutor Sumino's demand for a one-year jail term.

Sri said the defendant violated Emergency Law No. 12/ 1951 on illegal possession of sharp weapons and Article 351 of the Criminal Code on assault. (24/ivy)