KUCHING: A 30-year-old unemployed man, who attempted to set fire to his family’s electricity meter using firecrackers after being scolded by his father, was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today.
Sessions Court Judge Iris Awen Jon handed down the sentence after the accused, Shahriman Latip, pleaded guilty to the charge.
The court also imposed a fine of RM4,000, in default three months’ imprisonment. The jail term is to run from March 19.
According to the amended charge, Shahriman attempted to commit mischief by fire by trying to damage an electricity meter at a house in Kampung Segedup, Jalan Batu Kawa, Padawan, at about 7.30 pm on March 16.
He was charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 511 of the same Code, which deals with attempts to commit offences.
Case facts revealed that the complainant was Shahriman’s 68-year-old father, with whom he lived.
The incident occurred after the father reprimanded him for playing with firecrackers inside the house.
This led to a heated argument and disturbance among family members.
Still dissatisfied, Shahriman went outside and attempted to ignite the electricity meter located beside the house using firecrackers.
Investigations found that Shahriman, the youngest of five siblings, was unemployed and had a history of causing distress within the family.
Family members said he would often become aggressive when reprimanded.
Fearing for their safety, the father lodged a police report following the incident.
Police from the Padawan district later arrested the accused at the family home the following day.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ruvinasini Pandian, while Shahriman was unrepresented.
