KOTA KINABALU: A foreigner was jailed for eight years and ordered to be whipped thrice by the Sessions Court here yesterday for armed robbery.
Raymond Faizal Aminuddin, 33, pleaded guilty before judge Duncan Sikodol to robbing a 21-year-old woman of two cell phones, wallets and RM150 in cash.
The accused, who was armed with a knife committed the offence at K-Box in Centre Point shopping complex here at about 4.40pm on Jan 20, this year.
The offence under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of up to 14 years and is also liable to a fine, or whipping, on conviction.
The facts of the case stated that prior to the incident, the victim and with his friend were singing at the K-Box.
The accused suddenly entered the K-Box before pointing a knife at the victim and asked the latter and her friend to hand over their belongings.
After that, the accused fled the scene with the stolen items. The victim shouted for help and alerted a security guard who gave a chase.
However, the accused was later arrested by policemen, who were on patrol outside the shopping complex.
The stolen items were also recovered from the accused after the arrest.
In his mitigation, Raymond told the court that he has three children to look after. He also promised not to commit a similar offence in future.
Deputy public prosecutor Luke Ressa Balang urged the court to impose a deterrent sentenced taking into consideration the public interest, and the seriousness of the offence which is rampant.