GUILTY: The three accused leaving the courtroom after the proceedings yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: Three teenagers were sentenced to six years’ jail and ordered to be whipped once by the Sessions Court here yesterday for gang robbery.
High Court deputy registrar, Zulkifli Abllah who sat as a Sessions Court judge meted out the sentence on Romanus Rafi, 18, Mohd Shukri Sulaiman, 21, and Alexander Anton Sangah, 19, after they pleaded guilty to the joint charge.
The trio admitted to robbing a 57-year-old man of jewelleries, a hand watch, a laptop, and two cell phones altogether worth RM10,000 using a knife.
They committed the offence at a house in Kampung Lumatak, Membakut about 8.30pm on Nov 2.
Romanus, Mohd Shukri and Alexander were jointly charged under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping on conviction.
The facts of the case stated that while the victim and his wife were in their house, they heard someone greeting them.
When they opened the door, they saw three unknown men who pointed a knife at the couple and asked them to keep silent. The three men then entered the house and took the said items before fleeing.
They were arrested by police the next day following a police report lodged by the victim.
In pleading for leniency, the trio, who were unrepresented by any lawyer, informed the court that they regretted what they had done. Romanus and Mohd Shuki also told the court that they have to look after their mothers who were sick.
Meanwhile, Alexander informed the court that he was the sole breadwinner of the family and has to take care of his siblings.
Prosecuting officer ASP Sabrina Jinius, however, pressed for a heavy sentence to be imposed on all the accused as they had committed a serious offence involving armed robbery.
She said the court should take into consideration the public interest and rampancy of such cases before passing sentence.