Man gets 14 days for sitting on magistrate’s bench

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Kuo escorted out from the courtroom after the sentencing.

SIBU: A 30-year-old man who went up to a magistrate’s bench and sat there for a while ended up getting a 14-day jail term.

The man, Kuo Tai Ta, also allegedly smashed the glass doors and showcase panes at two Digi service centres here in March.

He arrived at the court compound around 8am, and parked his car right in front of the main entrance of the court house.

When told to remove the car, he was said to have obliged, albeit angrily.

Kuo later entered Court 1 of the magistrate’s court and took to the bench.

He sat there for a while until a policeman told him to come down.

The court was not in session then.

Later, when he appeared in Court 2 to answer a charge of allegedly smashing the Digi centre, Magistrate Sofia S Sawayan asked him to explain his conduct.

Kuo did not explain, and was sentenced to 14-day jail for contempt of court under the Third Schedule Para 26 of the Subordinate Court Act, 1948.

Kuo was at the court yesterday to answer a charge framed under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and causing damage amounting to RM20,000 and a charge under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 for drug abuse.

Section 427 of the Penal Code provides for at least one year in jail and not more than five years or with fine or with both.

He allegedly committed the offence about 2pm on March 13 at a Digi centre in Keranji Road.

He smashed three smartphones, mobile phone alarm system and the glass wall of the premises using a golf club.

The centre has claimed loss of RM11,497.

The drug abuse case carries a fine of RM5,000 or a jail term up to two years and to undergo at least two years of supervision after serving the sentence.

According to the charge, he was found to have abused Methamphetamine and Amphetamine about 2.20pm on Aug 9, 2015 at the central police station here.

The court adjourned the hearing of the two cases to June 16.

Meanwhile, Kuo faces another charge under Section 427 for allegedly smashing the glass wall and door of the Digi centre in Wong King Huo Road using a golf club at 1.45pm on March 13.

The centre has claimed loss of RM23,364.71.

The case comes up for trial today.