Acting Senior Magistrate Dewi Norlelawati binti Haji Abdul Hamid sentenced three men on Wednesday for their involvement in the theft and damage of copper cables belonging to Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN).
Abdul Afiq bin Abdul Khaliq, 33, and Mohammad Hirzy Danial bin Mohammad Izzat, 19, were each sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Mohamad Reduan bin Judin, 40, received a 27-month jail term due to previous convictions.
The trio pleaded guilty to charges related to their actions, which caused significant disruptions to UNN’s essential services.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Musawwir bin Haji Mahli revealed that on October 16, around 1.30pm, the defendants targeted copper cables along Jalan Labi, Kampong Mendaram Basar in the Belait District. A witness spotted a suspicious individual climbing a cable pole and reported the incident to the police.
Investigations led to the arrest of the defendants at an abandoned house in Kampong Rempayoh. The stolen copper cables, along with tools such as a ladder, machete, pliers and a metal saw, were recovered.
During questioning, the defendants admitted to their involvement in the crime. Mohamad Reduan climbed the pole to cut the cables, assisted by Mohammad Hirzy Danial. They then transported the stolen property to the abandoned house to dispose of it by burning the cables.
The court noted that Abdul Afiq and Mohammad Hirzy Danial had no prior criminal records, while Mohamad Reduan had a previous conviction for property-related offences. – Fadley Faisal
