The High Court yesterday upheld a Magistrate’s Court decision on imposing a three-years’ jail sentence to a second drugs offender.
Fifty-four-year-old Rosley bin Dagang was sentenced after he pleaded guilty on June 5 to consuming methylamphetamine.
Prosecutor Siti Khalillah binti Hussin, the respondent at the appeal and prosecutor in the case, revealed that Rosley was arrested at a house in RPN Kampong Bukit Beruang, Tutong District on July 20, 2022.
The Narcotics Control Bureau had suspected him of being involved in illicit drug activities.
His urine sample was taken, which tested positive for the class ‘A’ drug.
He also held a previous conviction of drug consumption in 2006, landing him a BND1,500 fine.
Rosley appealed to the High Court for a reduction in sentence, citing his age and that his incarceration would cause hardship to his family.
Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong reviewed the application and saw that the lengthy time-lapse between convictions did not justify a non-imposition of a minimum mandatory three-years’ jail sentence.
He reiterated that the hardship suffered by his family due to his incarceration was not a factor which could affect what would otherwise be the right sentence. – Fadley Faisal
