A taxi driver was sentenced to 24 years in jail and four strokes of the whip by the Sessions Court here today, after he was found guilty of molesting and robbing a passenger in his taxi two years ago.

Judge Hasbi Hasan held that the defence failed to raise a reasonable doubt on the case against M.Saravanan, 30.

He received 12 years jail and three strokes; five years and one stroke and seven years for the three counts involving oral sex, molesting and robbing the victim who worked as an assistant restaurant manager.

Judge Hasbi ordered the prison sentences to run concurrently effective from the date of his arrest on June 16 2011, so Saravanan will serve only 12 years.

On the first count, he was charged with performing oral sex on the 31-year-old woman in his taxi on the way from Jalan P.Ramlee to Kenanga Point Condo, Jalan San Peng, Dang Wangi at 3.30 am on March 6 2011.

The second and third counts related to molesting the victim and robbing her of a Blackberry mobile phone and RM500, while armed with a machete at the same time and location.

The charges were brought under Section 377c and 354 of the Penal Code which carried a sentence of up to 10 and 30 years in prison, whipping or fine upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutors Tan Gin Han and Ooi Chean Ling handled the prosecution.

Tan had earlier applied to the court for a heavier sentence saying," The accused took advantage of his passenger, tarnished the image of taxi drivers and intimidated her with a machete."