KOTA KINABALU: An unemployed local man who tried to steal 30 groupers worth RM2,500, was sent to jail for six months by the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday.
Magistrate Herlina Muse meted out the custodial sentence on Khairul Sapahi Salleh, 29, after he pleaded guilty to attempting to steal the fish which were kept inside a box at a restaurant in Kampung Air here on Nov 11.
The undefended accused was convicted under Section 379 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 511 of the same Code, which carries a maximum jail term of three-and-a-half-years or a fine or both, upon conviction.
The facts of the case stated that Khairul Sapahi, who hails from Kudat, was caught while he was putting the fish into a sack. He was then handed over to the police station for further action.
In a separate case, local Alibakcis Sahili, 21, will stand trial on Jan 30 next year for a charge of trespassing into a premises.
He was charged under Section 448 of the Penal Code which is punishable by a jail term of up to three years or a fine or both, upon conviction.
The accused from Tambunan was alleged to have broken the glass at the premises in Kampung Air here at 3am on Nov 17 in order to break in.
Herlina released Alibakcis on bail of RM3,000 deposited with two local sureties, pending disposal of the case.
Prosecuting officers Inspectors Lim Swee Beng and Siti Nooraini Mohd Sahid prosecuted.