SUNGAI BESAR (Bernama) – A “goreng pisang” (banana fritter) seller was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and fined MYR2,000, in default two months in jail, by the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for abducting two children last week.
Magistrate Siti Hajar Ali meted out the sentence on Mohamed Shariza Othman, 32, who pleaded guilty to the charge.
He was ordered to serve the sentence immediately.
Mohamed Shariza, who has two sons, was charged with abducting two girls, aged six and eight years, from their legal guardians in Taman Ikan Emas, Jeram in Kuala Selangor at 6.30 pm last Friday (July 19).
The charge was framed under Section 363 of the Penal Code which provides imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine upon conviction.
Based on the facts of the case, the man absconded with the two girls who were playing in front of their houses in a Perodua Bezza car.
He had asked the girls to accompany him to send letters and gave them MYR50. The girls followed him to a grocery shop, went for a ride around Jeram and then to his house before they were sent home on the same day.
Earlier in mitigation, lawyer Muhd Muqri Mohd Khairi from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), representing the accused, told the court that his client, who is the sole family breadwinner, has two sons and took the girls for want of a daughter.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Sofea Jaysal requested a heavy sentence taking into account the public interest.
“It is a kidnapping case that involved not one, but two victims. Kidnapping cases are increasing and can threaten the life of the victims,” she said.
