The Intermediate Court recently sentenced a Bangladeshi national, Md Furad Matubbar, 22, to two years and eight months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to house trespass with intent to commit theft.
Judge Pengiran Masni Pengiran Haji Bahar heard that the offence took place at a residence in Kampong Sungai Hanching on September 25. The defendant entered the house through the back door while its occupants were asleep, intending to steal cash.
Prosecutor Hajah Siti Mu’izzah binti Haji Sabli informed the court that the defendant had searched the ground floor unsuccessfully before proceeding upstairs, where he entered the bedroom of the victim, and her husband.
The victim was startled awake to find the defendant near her handbag. Her scream alerted her husband, who apprehended the defendant as he attempted to flee. The police were called, leading to the defendant’s arrest.
The court cited the defendant’s entering of the house despite being aware that its occupants were present, identifying it as an aggravating factor.
Prosecution cited precedents, where offenders received similar sentences under Section 451 of the Penal Code. However, the prosecution argued that Md Furad’s boldness in committing the crime while the occupants, including children, were home warranted a deterrent sentence.
Judge Pengiran Masni stressed the need for public protection and imposed a starting sentence of four years’ imprisonment, reduced to two years and eight months for the defendant’s guilty plea and clean record.
The court acknowledged the defendant’s mitigation—that his brother had recently passed away in Bangladesh—but maintained that the severity of the crime necessitated a strong deterrent. – Fadley Faisal