SIBU: A civil servant was yesterday jailed 18 months and a stroke of the cane after he pleaded guilty to having altered a government cheque of RM52.89 to RM46,000.06
The 27-year-old man had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge read under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Six witnesses were called to testify but the civil servant changed his plea when Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkuwi called for his defence.
Zubaidah said she had to consider a deterrent sentence in public interest.
She regarded the crime a grave concern because of such a big amount was involved in the cheque alteration.
The civil servant committed the offence at 1.25pm on Dec 9, 2011 when he deposited the cheque into a bank.
The cheating case came to light when the bank called the government department which issued the cheque to verify the amount.