KOTA KINABALU: A businessman was fined RM25, in default, one day’s jail by a Magistrate’s Court here yesterday for threatening to break the leg and hand of a contractor.
Magistrate Stephanie Sherroon Abbi imposed the fine on Stephen Teo, 51, after he pleaded guilty to committing the offence in front of a restaurant in Lido on June 10.
The unrepresented accused admitted to making a call to the victim and threatened to hire a person for RM10,000 to break his leg and hand and also for sending him a SMS stating that even if the victim ran away, he could locate him.
The offence framed under Section 8 (1) (e) of the Minor Offences Ordinance carries a maximum fine of RM25, upon conviction.
Prosecuting officer Inspector Syahrin Ali told the court that the motive of the accused in making threats at the victim was because he was dissatisfied with the additional payment of RM17,000 asked for by the victim to renovate his (the accused’s) house.
Syahrin also said that investigation revealed that in March this year, the victim had entered into an agreement with the accused to renovate his house for RM140,000 and it is 90 percent completed.
However, at the last minute, the accused made changes to the design of the house, especially to the toilet, windows and floor which would cost an additional RM17,000. When the victim requested the amount from the accused, he refused to pay but instead made the threat against him.
Based on information provided, the accused was arrested on June 16 and he admitted to have threatened the victim.
In pleading for a light sentence, the accused said that he became angry when hearing the explanation from the victim. He also said that the renovation of his house was only 50–60 per cent completed.
The prosecution pressed for the maximum sentence to be imposed on the accused.
In an unrelated case, six people, including a woman, were fined by the Traffic Court here yesterday for driving their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Ireneus Tidong, 27, and Jeroquel Mapanao, 33, were each fined RM1,000, in default, one month’s jail and Roxanne Wong Ling Yee, 28, Jupilon @ Clarence Molijol, 58, Pravinder Singh Ghoman, 28, and Jaharuddin Kaddas, 32, received a RM1,500 fine each, in default, three months’ jail.
Ireneus, Jeroquel pleaded guilty before magistrate Stephanie Sherroon Abbie, while Roxanne, Jupilon and Pravinder and Jaharuddin admitted to committing the offence before magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus.
All the accused were charged under Section 45A (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment 1994) which provides for a fine of not less than RM1,000 and not more than RM6,000 and a jail term of up to 12 months, upon conviction.
They were apprehended during traffic operations along Jalan Lintas, Jalan Kolam, Jalan Bundusan and Jalan Coastal between April 18 and June 28.
Traffic prosecuting officer Inspector Hanif Mamyudi appeared for the prosecution.