Magistrate Hajah Normazdina binti Haji Md Maskub yesterday handed down a four-week imprisonment sentence to 37-year-old Bangladeshi man after he pleaded guilty to filing a false police report.
However, the Magistrate, taking into account the time Saha Alom spent in remand, deemed his sentence completed.
The court heard from Prosecutor Atikah Husaini that the defendant, an assistant project manager at a company, lodged a report at the Bandar Seri Begawan Police Station, claiming he was assaulted by three men – two Bangladeshis and a Bruneian – and robbed of BND3,600.
The claimed incident took place at Alom’s residence in Kampong Katok ‘B’.
According to his initial statement, three men, identifying themselves as immigration officers, knocked on his door late in the evening of February 25.
Alom stated that after confirming with his employer, he opened the door, at which point the men entered his home.
He claimed one of them forcefully took his wallet, while another, armed with a wooden stick, assaulted him. He further alleged that the Bruneian man stole BND3,600 from his wallet during the attack.
The Royal Brunei Police Force took the matter seriously and conducted extensive investigations.
The alleged suspects were arrested as part of the inquiry. However, upon further investigation, police discovered that no such incident had taken place.
On February 29, Alom admitted to fabricating the story and provided a false account to authorities.
The court took into account the gravity of the offence and the resources expended on a falsified claim. Alom, having spent sufficient time in custody, was deemed to have completed his sentence. – Fadley Faisal
