Duo jailed six years for robbing girl, causing injuries

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KOTA KINABALU: Two men were sentenced to six years in prison each for gang robbery by the Sessions Court here yesterday.

Azman Aziz and Muhammad Fauzi Giho, both 21, pleaded guilty when produced before judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad to robbing 16-year-old Nuraina Mansur Najik of her handbag on September 21 at around 6:30am near 88 Commercial Center along Penampang By-pass here.

The duo were charged under Section 395 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum 20 years’ jail term as well as whipping.

The facts of the case stated that at 8:30am of the same day, the police received a complaint from the victim who said she was walking alone to a restaurant owned by her boyfriend when the incident occurred.

Police investigations revealed that the two men had snatched her sling bag from her causing her to scream for help.

Members of the public chased the two individuals before apprehending them with the help of the police who were patrolling the area at the time.

During mitigation, Azman begged the court for a lighter sentence as he had a family to take care of, adding that both his parents were old and that his siblings were still children, while further stating that this was his first offence.

His accomplice, Mohd Fauzi, also asked for a reduced sentence, telling the court that he had a duty to care for his two siblings who were still in school, and like Azman, he said this was the first time he had committed such a felony.

However, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Nazneen Zulkifli, who acted for the prosecution urged the court to mete out a deterrent sentence as it was for public interest.

Ahmad stated that snatch theft was a despicable act in the eyes of the public, and that a heavy sentence would send a message to others as well as to educate both Azman and Mohd Fauzi.

He also added that the offence was rampant throughout the country, especially in Kota Kinabalu, adding that the victim had suffered bodily injuries due to the actions of both men.

They (both accused) had pushed her hard enough to cause her to fall and sustain injuries, adding that it was a factor to be taken into consideration by the judge when delivering the verdict.

However, they were allowed to serve their prison sentences from their date of arrest on September 21.

Meanwhile in a separate case, the Immigrantion Court sentenced 17 foreign men between the ages of 16 and 39 to three to five months’ imprisonment for illegally entering the country.

Judge Hafizi Abdul Halim further ordered several of them to be given two strokes of the cane and to be referred to the Immigration Department once they had completed their sentence.

The offence, under Section 6 of the Immigration Act, is punishable with a maximum fine of RM10,000, a jail term not exceeding five years and not more than six strokes of the cane.

Immigration Department prosecuting officer Shaiful Izzuat called for a deterrent sentence and advised the court to refer all 17 of them to the Immigration Department for further action.