MAN ALMOST LOSES THUMB IN CLEAVER ATTACK

Man almost loses thumb in cleaver attack

The victim who almost lost his right thumb in the attack.

PUTATAN September 16, 2011: A 31-year-old man who was said to have criticised his brother-in-law for being lazy and jobless almost lost his right thumb after he was allegedly attacked by the latter with a meat cleaver.

The incident was believed to have happened on Wednesday, around 6pm at an unnumbered house in Kampung Muhibbah here, after the victim confronted his brother-in-law of being lazy and telling him to get a job.

It was reported, that due to the criticism and confrontation, the 24-year-old suspect, believed to have been under the influence of alcohol, then attacked the victim with a meat cleaver.

“The victim, who is still being warded in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2, almost has his right thumb severed.

“His left hand and body was also badly injured due to the attack,” said Penampang district police chief Deputy Superintendent Ratan Kumar Singh when contacted yesterday.

Singh said the victim is currently in a stable condition and placed under doctor’s observation.

The suspect was apprehended by police seven hours after the incident at his rented house in Kampung Muhibbah, said Singh, adding that police have also recovered the meat cleaver, believed to have been the attack weapon.

“The suspect is currently under remand for seven days to facilitate police investigation into the case under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, which carries a jail term of 20 years and a fine or whipping, upon conviction,” added Singh.