Jobless man charged with torching house asked to be sent to Hospital Mesra

Kota Kinabalu: A 32-year-old jobless man charged with destroying a house with fire, requested to be sent to Hospital Mesra in Bukit Padang for mental condition observation as he claimed that he heard “voices”.

Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim then referred Mohd Sharizal Jadi to the hospital due to his request on Friday.

Mohd Sharizal pleaded not guilty to committing the mischief against the house in Kg Sungai Damit, Tuaran by torching it at 11.30pm on Sept 11 this year.

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The offence under Section 436 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 20 years and fine, on conviction.

The court set Oct 23 for mention on the outcome from the hospital.

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Earlier, Mohd Sharizal who was not represented, asked for himself to be referred to the hospital claiming that he heard “voices” and had been on medication from the said hospital. Deputy Public Prosecutor Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Afendi appeared for the prosecution.