TAIF: A judge at the summary court in Taif handed on Tuesday a five-year prison sentence, 50 lashes and a SR100,000 fine to a youth who repeatedly blackmailed a woman.
Sheikh Saleh Bin-Humaid, president of the Supreme Judicial Council, was also in court when the sentence was read out, Al-Madinah newspaper reported.
The court witnessed emotionally charged scenes when the judge pronounced his verdict. The youth, shocked at the severity of the punishment, embraced Bin-Humaid and declared he had repented the crime.
The youth begged Bin-Humaid to intervene on his behalf to secure a pardon or a lesser punishment. The visiting dignitary, however, refused to interfere saying that would be inappropriate and told the youth that the correct method was to lodge a formal appeal in the Court of Appeals and then refer to the Supreme Court for a review.
Bin-Humaid, who was on an inspection tour, also discussed with court officials the difficulties they face when dealing with cases.
