SIBU: The Magistrates’ Court here has convicted and sentenced two men to a fine of RM5,000, in default, six months’ jail, for committing theft.
Magistrate Romario Jonoi passed down the sentenced after Rashidi Abdul Rahman, 55, from Kampung Datu and Muhammad Nazar Abdul Kadir, 42, of Kampung Hilir confessed to the joint charge read and explained to them through an interpreter, and both understood the consequences of their plea of guilt.
The charge read to them that they had on July 19, at about 11:00 am at the compound of An Nur Mosque at Awang Ramli Amit Road, had taken two rolls of fences out, being the possession of BLM Engineering & Services Sdn Bhd without its consent, thereby committing theft which is an offence punishable under Section 379 of the Penal Code read together with section 34 of the same code.
The offence, upon conviction, provides for a jail term of up to seven years or fine or both.
According to fact of the case, on July 19 at about 11:00 am at An Nur Mosque, the complainant who represented BLM Engineering & Services Sdn Bhd, was informed by a worker that an unknown person had taken away items from the construction site.
The items taken were used fences, electrical cables and construction iron rods.
The worker also informed that the same person frequently came to take items during lunch time while the workers were resting.
However, the workers were afraid to act against the individual.
The loss incurred was estimated at RM2,000. Hence, the complainant came to the police station to lodge a report for further police action.
On July 21 at about 9:20 pm, acting on a tip off, a team of police led by Insp. Andrew Umdum Isa arrested the accused near Kampung Hilir Road.
On July 23 at about 12:10 pm, Andrew with his team members arrested another accused at a house along Kampung Hilir Road.
Following their arrest, police recovered the stolen items.
The case was prosecuted by Insp. Kumareswaran Murugan while the two accused were unrepresented.
