KUCHING: An unemployed man with a disability (OKU) status was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court here today (May 8) for threatening to burn down his family home during a late-night outburst.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali meted out the sentence on Syaifuddin Ti Morni, 42, after he pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 503 of the Penal Code and punishable under second limb of Section 506 of same Code.
Section 506 of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
The court ordered the jail term to run from the date of his arrest.
According to the charge, the accused threatened his 66-year-old father, at their residence in Kampung Haji Baki, Padawan, at about 10:00 pm on February 25.
He was said to have uttered threats to burn down the house, causing fear for the safety of the complainant and other family members.
Facts of the case revealed that the accused, who is the eldest of four siblings, had been living with his parents and frequently demanded money from them.
On the night of the incident, he became enraged after his request for cash was refused.
He then hurled abusive words and threatened to damage his sister’s car and snatch his mother’s necklace if she did not comply.
His mother eventually handed him RM20, but the accused remained dissatisfied and escalated the situation by issuing threats to set the house on fire.
Investigations also found that the accused had no stable employment and was believed by his family to be involved with illicit substances.
His repeated aggressive behaviour had caused distress to his parents, who eventually lodged a police report.
He was arrested by police at the family home in Kampung Haji Baki following the report.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly, prosecuted the case. He was unrepresented.
