Kota Kinabalu: A 48-year-old man was fined RM2,000 or seven months in jail by the Magistrate’s Court, here, Friday for stealing diesel from a lorry.
Naan Dani, 48, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to committing the offence at 11.30pm on Oct 6, 2023, by the roadside at Bantayan Minintod in front of Gaya Utama, Inanam.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Yousof Tahir Mahmood informed the court that a police team conducted a raid following a public tip-off about diesel theft in the area.
They spotted a man, later identified as Naan, opening the fuel tank of a three-tonne Hicom lorry and transferring diesel into a white container.
Two containers (one filled with diesel and one empty), a green hose and a motorcycle used in the theft were seized.
The lorry driver later confirmed that some diesel was missing from the tank. Naan admitted to siphoning the diesel to use for another lorry he was driving.
The offence, under Section 379 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Duty counsel Lim Ming Zoong, representing Naan, requested a fine, noting that Naan is married with one child and that this was his first offence. The prosecution, however, applied for a deterrent sentence.
In the same court, a 25-year-old woman was fined RM100 or three days’ jail for having RM4,500 credited into her bank account, believed to be fraudulently obtained.
Natasya Azyan pleaded guilty to failing to explain the source of the money, which belonged to one Boniface Cosmas, deposited into her BSN Inanam branch account on May 12, 2022, at 10.02am.
The prosecution explained that the complainant received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Kuala Lumpur Post Office, alleging a parcel in his name contained his identity card and credit card.
He was then connected to a supposed police officer who falsely accused him of involvement in drug smuggling and money laundering.
Fearing arrest, the complainant followed the caller’s instructions and transferred RM4,500 for “audit purposes,” which was later deposited into Natasya’s account.
Natasya was charged under Section 22A(1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance of Sabah, which carries a penalty of RM100 fine or up to three months in prison, or both, on conviction.
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man was fined RM25 for causing fear to a woman with a knife.
Fredoline Talib admitted to the offence against Nur Afiqah Rahmat at 11pm on Sept 24, at a rented house in Taman Foo Loong, Jalan Damai.
The prosecution said Nur Afiqah had reprimanded Fredoline and his friends for making noise at their rented house next door, after which Fredoline suddenly brandished a meat cleaver, causing her to feel frightened and threatened.
Police from the Luyang station arrived shortly after and arrested Fredoline.
He was charged under Section 8(1)(e) of the Minor Offences Ordinance (Cap. 80) of Sabah, which carries a maximum fine of RM25.
When asked if he had anything to say in mitigation, Fredoline simply replied “Tiada” (nothing).
The prosecution applied for a deterrent sentence.
