KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court here yesterday sentenced two local men to eight years in jail each for armed-gang robbery and ordered each of them to be whipped three times.
Judge Ummu Kalthom Abd Samad meted out the sentences to Syahrilee Zainudin, 25, and Mohd Azirul Izam Abd Rahman, 25, after both pleaded guilty to the joint charge.
They admitted to robbing a 33-year-old sundry store owner of RM1,500 RM500 worth of reload coupons at the victim’s store, Kedai Runcit Bismillah Enterprise, Kampung Roun, Tuaran on October 9, this year while armed with a cleaver.
The charge stipulated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code provides for a maximum 20 years’ imprisonment and liable to whipping upon conviction.
In her judgement, Ummu Kalthom said that armed-gang robbery is always a serious offence, therefore a deterrent message must be sent to would-be offenders.
She also took into consideration the nature of the offence and said that while the victim suffered no serious physical injuries, he faced emotional trauma.
According to the victim’s impact statement, he could not sleep after the incident and feared for his safety, even at home.
Deputy public prosecutor Nartiah F Mirchelle Sambatan acted for the prosecution.