A long sentence

Nov 15 2007

A Malaysian man facing execution for cannabis possession escaped the gallows after the judge who sentenced him took nine years to deliver his written judgment.

The death sentence against Baha Jambol, 45, was commuted to an 18-year jail term and 12 strokes of the cane.

The former food seller has already served nine years on death row, and reductions to the sentence mean he will be free in December next year.