KUCHING: Two security guards were each sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates’ Court here on Monday (Feb 23) for stealing various construction materials earlier this month.
36-year-old Nurul Hafizi Yunus and 22-year-old Qhal Zamaril Zailani pleaded guilty before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali, with their prison sentences ordered to commence from the date of conviction on Feb 23.
The two accomplices were charged under Section 379 of the Penal Code, read together with Sections 34 and 511, which cover theft, shared liability, and attempted offences.
Those convicted under these provisions may face up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, with reduced terms for attempted offences and harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
According to the charge sheet, Nurul Hafizi and Qhal Zamaril committed the offence at a construction site along Jalan Sungai Tapang on Feb 17 at about 6 pm by stealing various construction materials used for piling works at the site.
The case facts stated that during an inspection at the construction site, the complainant found the guard post unattended and, upon patrolling the area, heard the sound of a metal-cutting machine.
The complainant proceeded towards the sound and found both Nurul Hafizi and Qhal Zamaril, whom he knew, cutting iron bars on an apron that was under construction.
Both accused had been entrusted with safeguarding the construction materials at the site.
The complainant suspected that they were attempting to steal the iron bars that had already been cut. The estimated loss was approximately RM10,000.
Both men were apprehended and the complainant immediately contacted the police for further action.
The complainant subsequently lodged a police report to facilitate further investigation.
At about 6.20 pm on the same day, police arrested Nurul Hafizi and Qhal Zamaril after receiving a call from the police station’s complaints counter regarding the incident.
Police also seized the items handed over by the complainant. The seized items were five cut iron bars, two safety helmets and one transparent security guard vest, which were handed over by the accused.
No force was used during the arrest. Investigations revealed that both the accused had committed the offence of stealing construction materials at the site.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Afi Safly Nor Kazly, while both accused were unrepresented.
