KUCHING: A man was placed under a six-month good behaviour bond by the Magistrates’ Court here today after he was caught cutting branches and attempting to steal dabai fruit at an agricultural research centre in Semenggok earlier this year.
Wilber Joseap, 34, who is from Kampung Bunuk, acknowledged the charge under Section 67 of the Criminal Procedure Code after it was read before senior assistant registrar Abdurrahman Abrar Jarni.
Case facts revealed that the incident occurred on Feb 4 at about 10.35am within the fruit tree cultivation area of the research centre, when a complainant noticed an unfamiliar man acting suspiciously.
The complainant later saw Wilber cutting branches and attempting to take dabai fruit from the agricultural site.
He was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation.
Authorities also seized several items believed to have been used during the incident, including a machete and a fruit basket.
Investigations revealed that the accused had previously trespassed into the same area and stolen dabai fruit.
In delivering the decision, the court imposed the good behaviour bond as a preventive measure to ensure the accused does not repeat the offence.
The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly while the accused was unrepresented by legal counsel.
