The High Court on Tuesday handed jail and whipping sentences to two foreigners for their involvements in a gang-robbery syndicate.
Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin Pehin Datu Juragan Laila Diraja Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Kefli sentenced 38-year-old Malaysian Mohd Saiful Rizal bin Sinen 10 years imprisonment and 12 strokes for all the seven charges that he pleaded guilty to while 26-year-old Indonesian Sakriadi bin Saharuddin received a punishment of eight years imprisonment and 12 strokes of whipping after pleading guilty to two charges of committing gang robbery.
Mohd Saiful Rizal and Sakriadi were jointly charged on two gang robbery offences.
Mohd Saiful Rizal faced four other charges of gang robbery and one charge of gang robbery armed with a deadly weapon.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Fitri binti Kiprawi revealed that Mohd Saiful Rizal had on all seven occassions between July 16 to December 7, 2023, played a role as a getaway driver for his accomplices to commit gang robbery in a total of seven houses, mainly in the Tutong District.
As part of the modus operandi, Mohd Saiful Rizal would enter into the country legally through the Kuala Lurah Control Post and meet with his accomplices at an arranged location to drive them to targeted houses.
His accomplices would then carry out the gangrobbery activities whilst waiting on stand-by as a getaway driver.
Sakriadi participated in the final two gang robbery activities prior to their arrest. His involvement was similar to that of his co-accused as a getaway driver.
Meanwhile a third co-accused, Mohd Amin bin Zabadi had claimed trial to one of the charges of gang robbery to which he was jointly charged with Mohd Saiful Rizal.
The three men produced in court were arrested with the joint efforts of the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Royal Malaysia Police. To date, four others remain at large.
The prosecution further revealed that a total of seven houses were broken into, and the robbers made away with an estimated total of BND64,550 in cash monies.
The robbers also stole a large undisclosed amount of jewellery and personal belongings from the various targeted houses. During the incidents, the victims were put in fear of their life and safety as some were restrained whilst others were held at knife point.
In mitigation, both defendants expressed regret and pleaded for leniency. In considering sentencing, the judicial commissioner said that the severity of the crime cannot be overlooked.
“Victims were subjected to violence in the middle of night. Some of them were restrained and fear were instilled into them. The terror inflicted was evident,” the court pondered.
The court further gave weight to the fact that “there is uncertainty in the recovery of property. The defendants, participated not only as drivers to the targetted homes, but also complicit in aiding their accomplices to leave the country illegally. This cross-border offence warranted a higher sentence”. – Fadley Faisal
