KUCHING: A 42-year-old man was fined RM1,700, in default three months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here today for assaulting a man whom he suspected of stealing cables at a construction site.
Awang Abdul Karim Awang Ahmad pleaded guilty before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali to the charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum one-year jail term or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
The charge stated that Awang voluntarily caused hurt to the 40-year-old victim at about 4:00 pm on August 19 at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak here.
The court heard that the complainant was approached by Awang, who allegedly forced him to admit to stealing cables at the construction site of the Pustaka area.
Awang then assaulted the complainant using his hands, causing him to suffer pain to his head, arm and back.
Following a police report lodged by the complainant, a team from the Criminal Investigation Division of Kuching District Police Headquarters arrested Awang at about 3:30 pm on August 22 at the construction site along Jalan Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
Police also seized a black Yamaha Avantiz motorcycle and a motorcycle key.
Investigations found that Awang had taken matters into his own hands by assaulting the complainant and forcing him to confess to the alleged theft.
The complainant was later able to identify Awang from photographs shown to him by police, as Awang was the first person to approach him at the site.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Aiman Zarith, prosecuted, while Awang was unrepresented.
