Intermediate Court Judge Hajah Hazarena binti POKSJ DP Haji Hurairah on August 28 sentenced a local man to a total of four years and one month imprisonment along with a BND1,000 fine, following his guilty plea to multiple charges of house trespass and theft.
Mohammad Azrye bin Latip would have to serve an additional two months in jail in default of payment of the fine.
The charges stemmed from incidents at a convenience store in Pekan Muara and a secondary school in Serasa in July.
Prosecutors Abdul Musawwir bin Mahli and Ahmad Firdaus bin Mohammad presented the facts of the case in court.
In the first incident, on July 7, the defendant broke into a convenience store in Pekan Muara by entering through an unlocked back gate.
Once inside, he dismantled two cash registers and stole BND870, which he used for personal expenses.
CCTV footage confirmed his actions, and additional cash and phone top-up cards were also reported missing.
The second charge related to a break-in at Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Secondary School between July 11 and 13.
The defendant entered the school by breaking the padlock to the gate, made his way to the administration room, and stole BND38 from a student welfare donation box.
The school later reported other missing items, including print cartridges, a trophy and small amount of cash.
The court highlighted that the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious, as he defecated in the teachers’ room, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the property.
The court also took into account the defendant’s recent prior conviction for attempted theft and criminal mischief in June, for which he was fined.
“Despite being given a grace period to pay the fine, the defendant committed further offences during this time, highlighting a pattern of escalating criminal activity,” the judge noted.
Judge Hajah Hazarena, in handing down the sentence, emphasised the need for a deterrent sentence to reflect the severity of the crimes and to protect the community. – Fadley Faisal
