Kota Kinabalu: A 47-year-old man was fined RM25 or a day’s jail, Wednesday, for behaving in a threatening manner against his cousin in Penampang, last year.
Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun meted out the sentence to Christopher John after he pleaded guilty to committing the offence to Julian Celestian with the intention to provoke the breach of the peace at 12pm on Dec 1, 2021 at the entrance of Kg Sinulihan Nambazan, Penampang.
The charge under Section 8(1)(e) of the Minor Offences Ordinance provides for RM25 fine on conviction.
Inspector Albert Basiri prosecuting, told the court that according to Julian, on the day of the incident, Christopher had stood in the middle of the road and blocked Julian’s path.
Julian got out of his car to reprimand Christopher but a heated argument ensued which led to a fight, resulting in Julian sustaining small injuries on one of his eyes and arm.
The court heard that Christopher took a wooden plank and pointed it at Julian to defend himself from Julian’s attack.
Julian then left the scene.
Requesting for a lenient sentence, Christopher, who was not represented, admitted that he was wrong and said that it was a lesson to him as he have lost his temper.
“I was wrong for fighting but it happened on my land and furthermore, we are first cousins,” he said.
Perhaps, this is a lesson for me. Maybe I have lost control but he was spitting at my place. I was only trying to make him understand that he cannot spit at my place.
“Actually, I was not trying to stop him…I am only giving him words of advice but he hit me first. So, we punched each other. I was wrong but he could not take my advice, so what to do, we slug it out.
“I really lost my temper. You know how it is with men. All want to protect their ego,” said Christopher, adding that they were neighbours.
In another case, a 22-year-old man was fined RM1,000 or a month’s jail for gambling in public.
Rimar admitted to committing the offence at a canteen of a company in Taman Victory, Penampang at 5.05pm on July 8, 2021.
The court heard from the prosecution that police, acting on information, went to the premises and detained Rimar who admitted to running a top up gambling activity and also seized RM130 from him.
Rimar was charged under Section 6(1) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953 which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or jail term of up to six months or both, on conviction.
He requested for leniency by saying that he is still looking for a job and is taking care of his parents and nephews.
The court ordered the seized money to be forfeited by the government.
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