KUCHING: A man was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates Court here today for breaking into an office near Kenyalang Park Shopping Centre in the early hours of July 6.
Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu handed down the sentence against Chong Kim Fook, 35, after he pleaded guilty to committing house-breaking by night with intent to commit theft, an offence under Section 457 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries a maximum imprisonment term of five years. Where the intended offence involves theft, the jail term may extend to 14 years.
It also carries a fine and additional penalties for repeat offenders.
According to the facts of the case, police received a report at about 6.30am on July 6 after the complainant was informed that an engineering consultancy office near Kenyalang Park Shopping Centre had been broken into through a window.
A subsequent inspection found that no items were missing from the premises.
Investigations later led to Chong’s arrest at about 10.39 am on July 8 by a team from Sekama Police Station near the office premises.
Police investigations found that the accused had entered the office without a reasonable excuse with the intention of trespassing by hiding inside the premises or committing house-breaking.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage also captured the accused’s presence inside the office.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani appeared for the prosecution. Chong was unrepresented.
