KUCHING: A 47-year-old general worker was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates’ Court here today for breaking into a house and stealing valuables belonging to a resident.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu handed down the sentence on Kenny Jong Kueh Sik after he pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 457 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries a maximum imprisonment term of five years or a fine, and if the intended offence is theft, imprisonment may extend to 14 years.
Jong will begin serving his sentence from the date of conviction today (July 16).
According to the facts of the case, Jong committed the house-breaking at about 7:00 am on July 9 at a house located at Lot 9419, No. 77, Jalan Foochow No. 2, Kuching, belonging to Tay Tze Kuoh.
The victim discovered that her wallet containing important documents was missing at about 10:03 am.
A review of the house’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed an unidentified man entering the compound by lifting the outer gate before moving around the outside and inside of the house.
The stolen items included the victim’s MyKad, Public Bank debit card, HSBC and CIMB credit cards, name cards, as well as cash amounting to RM1,000 belonging to the victim and RM3,800 belonging to her father.
Following information received, police arrested Jong at about 9:12 am on July 11 while he was having a meal at a chicken rice shop near Jalan Pending.
During the arrest, police found a red Supreme backpack in his possession containing the victim’s MyKad and driving licence, along with tools including a chisel, a flat-head screwdriver, an ice pick, a face mask, and a cloth glove.
The victim later identified the MyKad and driving licence as belonging to him.
Investigations found that Jong had entered the house with the intention of committing theft, leading to the charge under Section 457 of the Penal Code.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani, appeared for the prosecution. Jong was unrepresented.
