KUCHING: A 27-year-old unemployed man was sentenced to 12 months’ jail by the Magistrates’ Court here today for threatening to burn down his sister’s house following an argument over money.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali imposed the sentence on Awang Jazli Awang Jalal after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 506 of the Penal Code.
The offence under Section 506 of the Penal Code carries a maximum imprisonment of seven years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
According to the charge, Awang Jazli criminally intimidated his 39-year- old sister by threatening to set her house on fire with the intention of causing her alarm.
The offence was committed at about 1.30 pm on July 8 at a house in Kampung Semariang Batu here.
Based on the facts of the case, the incident occurred after an argument erupted between the siblings when the accused’s demands were not met.
Fearing for her safety, the victim lodged a police report the same day.
Police arrested Awang Jazli at about 10.40 am on July 10 at a house in Kampung Semariang Batu.
Investigations found that the accused had deliberately threatened to burn the house to intimidate the complainant and jeopardise her sense of safety.
The prosecution also stated that eyewitnesses at the scene had seen and heard the threat.
It was understood that the accused had demanded money, allegedly to purchase drugs, before threatening to burn down the house when his sister refused.
He was unrepresented, while the prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Aqilah Morsalin.
