Appeal court cuts confessed bomber's jail term
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A bomber convicted for a 2010 attack on the Bhum Jai Thai Party on Monday had his jail term slashed from 35 years to five years.
The Appeals Court cited minimal damage as ground for leniency to reduce the sentencing.
The lower court ruled last April to find Anek Singkhuntod, 29, guilty of bombing the party headquarters.
In working with five accomplices who were tried separately, Anek concealed a homemade bomb in his fruit cart before pushing it passed the headquarters.
The blast caused damage to the party’s back walls, some vehicles parked nearby as well as a lean to of a food vendor. Anek also sustained serious injuries that resulted in blindness.
In the appeal ruling, the high court confirmed his conviction. But it found the sentence too harsh.
The total damage amounted to Bt90,000, therefore the penalty was adjusted to be commensurate with consequences of his crime.
After overturning the initial sentence, the high court ruled for a 10year imprisonment. It then cited his confession for further leniency to cut the jail term in half.
