Dad gets maximum prison time for baby’s death as jail term appeal backfires
Court of Appeal nearly doubles the 25-year-old's 16-year jail term, saying a lengthy sentence will give him time to reflect on his crime.
The Shah Alam High Court sentenced Danial Iman Sharif to 16 years in prison for causing his two-month-old daughter's death on Jan 29, 2025. However, the Court of Appeal enhanced his punishment to the maximum 30-year sentence instead of granting a reduction. The appellate court invoked Section 60 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, empowering it to confirm, reverse, or vary the trial court's decision.
The bench consisting of Justices Azman Abdullah, Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, and K Muniandy considered the gravity of the offense and the public interest. The facts revealed that Sharif repeatedly abused the helpless infant, causing fatal blunt-force trauma to the baby's head. Post-mortem and forensic evidence confirmed the cause of death, with a single perpetrator responsible for the injury.
Despite Sharif's guilty plea, it did not automatically entitle him to a sentence reduction. His lawyer argued that he had saved court time and resources by pleading guilty and that Sharif, being only 21 at the time, should be given a chance at rehabilitation.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
