Kota Kinabalu: A 42-year-old father who cheated a man of RM12,300 in a car sale was jailed 13 months by the Magistrate’s Court here.
Sang Fazar Bunjing Diamson, who pleaded guilty to the charge before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin, broke down in tears while appealing for a lighter sentence.
During mitigation, Sang told the court that he had faced financial difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic, while his father had fallen ill and died during the same period.
He said he regretted his actions and appealed for another chance to fulfil his responsibilities as a father.
“I ask for another chance to fulfil my responsibilities as a father,” he said.
The court ordered him to serve the jail term from Aug 15 this year, the date he was rearrested.
Sang had deceived the victim into purchasing a gold-coloured automatic Proton Saga FLX for RM12,300 at Kampung Air, here, on March 20, 2022.
The court heard that the victim had come across an advertisement for the car on Facebook Marketplace and contacted Sang, who offered to sell it for RM12,300.
The victim subsequently signed a sale and purchase agreement before a justice of the peace and paid the full amount in cash before receiving the car and its registration card.
However, a few days later, two men approached the victim at Inanam Terminal, including the vehicle’s registered owner.
They informed him that the car had outstanding loan payments and was due to be repossessed.
Sang was charged under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Prosecuting Officer Inspector Yusdi Basri urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence.
The court also ordered the prosecution to return the physical exhibits to their rightful owner after the 14-day appeal period had lapsed.
