Kota Kinabalu: A 34-year-old woman, who was involved in a dangerous high-speed car chase with the police, which went viral here, recently, was on Wednesday charged with multiple offences including taking drugs, at the Magistrate’s Court.
Unemployed Martini Abdul Ghani was charged with four offences.
Stealing a vehicle, driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner, obstructing policemen from carrying out their duty, and taking drugs between Feb 12 and Feb 14, at separate locations, here.
For her first offence, Martini is accused of stealing a black Toyota Hilux pickup belonging to one Zity Noorfilzah Mohd Nadzri at 8.30am on Feb 12 at Segama area here.
Martini’s second offence, involves allegedly driving said vehicle in a dangerous manner between 10am and 11.30am on Feb 14 along Jalan Sepanggar here.
For her third offence, Martini is accused of using criminal force on four police personnel, namely Sergeant Selamat Ibrahim, Corporals Joseph Dinsim, Abdullah Baki, as well as Corporal (Support) Razalyinam Abdul Shamad, with the intention to deter them from discharging their duty between 10am and 11.30am on Feb 14 along Jalan Sepanggar here.
For her fourth offence, she is alleged to have abused amphetamines and syabu at 7.20pm on the same day here.
However, no plea was recorded from Martini, who appeared before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles via video link from the Kepayan central lockup.
The court learned that Martini was under quarantine for being in close contact with a positive Covid-19 detainee while under remand.
Inspector Kelvan Elson Maik applied for another mention date for the case pending the chemist’s report on Martini’s drug charges and proposed bail between RM6,000 and RM5,000.
Martini, who was not represented, requested a lower bail amount.
Lovely set March 11 for a plea to be taken on the first and second offence and fixed March 18 for the third.
April 21 has been set for the fourth pending the chemist’s report.
Martini was offered bail at RM2,000 in two sureties for each count.
Her first offence falls under Section 379A of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of between one year and seven years and liability of a fine, on conviction while the second is framed under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and carries a jail term of up to five years and fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000 on conviction.
The third charge under Section 353 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to two years or fine or both on conviction, while the fourth, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to two years jail on conviction.
It was reported previously that the police arrested a woman after an hour-long tense high-speed chase that saw her ramming into several vehicles, including a postman’s motorcycle, around Tanjung Lipat area here on Feb 14.
The 34-year-old suspect, believed to be a drug addict, was finally apprehended along Jalan Sepanggar shortly before noon after police reportedly fired shots at the tyre of the vehicle.
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