Shoplifiting on a no plastic weekend

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A widow with two children and no job pleaded to be spared from a custodial sentence after she pleaded guilty to shoplifting, and was sentenced to a fine of B$1,000 or to serve jail for a month in default of payment, Borneo Bulletin reported.

Senior Magistrate Lailatul Zubaidah heard from Noralizah binti Hj Awang, 27, who broke down into tears as she gave her mitigations that she committed the offence out of desperation and that her family is suffering hardship especially without her husband who had passed away three years ago.

The court told the defendant she should not have resorted to theft even out of desperation but took into consideration that the defendant was remorseful and would be looking for employment. The defendant was released on bail of $1,000 or one local surety. She was given a week’s grace period to settle the fine.

The court heard that Noralizah went to Soon Lee Megamart on the morning of December 22, 2012.

There she took a basket and filled it with a pack of Nescafe 3 in 1, three packets of Whiskas, a can of Yeo’s Curry Chicken, two packs of Dumex Dugro 3 Plus Honey, two cans of Ayam Brand Mackerel and six cans of Mr Brown Coffee, which were worth a total of B$39.10.

She placed the items into a black bag she had brought along and placed the basket on to the counter before proceeding to leave the building.

Unbeknownst to the defendant, she had been observed by security guards at the store who noticed her basket was suddenly empty.

She was approached by the security guards and was found to have the items placed in the basket earlier in her black bag.

She admitted to shoplifting.

DPP Ak Shahyzul Pg Abd Rahman conducted the prosecution.