SIBU: A 33-year-old man has been ordered to be put behind bars for seven months by the Magistrates’ Court here yesterday for committing two counts of theft.
Magistrate Romario Jonoi sentenced Empari Ayon to seven months’ imprisonment for each charge but ordered both sentences to run concurrently from the date of conviction.
The accused was indicted for the first charge of stealing a mobile phone and some clothing belonging to Simon Jati, 20, at a hostel room along Bako Lane on Mar 31 at about 12.39 pm.
The second charge stated that he had stolen a mobile phone belonging to Suriana Ashyura Chibik, 25, at the same hostel but different room on March 31 at about 12.45 pm.
The offence falls under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which upon conviction, carries an imprisonment of up to 10 years as well as liable to a fine.
According to the facts of the case, on March 31 at about 11.23 pm at the hostel, the complainant Simon found his room in a messy condition and discovered that a mobile phone was missing.
A review of CCTV footage showed an unknown male entering via the staircase and the complainant admitted that the room door had not been locked.
The complainant’s friend also experienced a similar incident involving the loss of a moble phone in another room.
Acting on information received, a team of police subsequently arrested the accused for further investigation.
The investigation revealed that the accused entered the rented room of both victims while they were not present.
Upon entering the rooms, the accused stole some clothing and mobile phones from the two victims.
The accused confessed that he had entered the complainant’s rented room with the intention of committing theft and selling the stolen items to obtain money.
He further admitted that he had sold both stolen mobile phones to an unknown person.
ASP Sokolinkam Changgan appeared for the prosecution while the accused has no legal representation.
