SIBU: The Sessions Court sentenced a 37-year-old man to two years’ imprisonment on Friday (Oct 22) for committing arson.
Andrew Sanggau of Kampung Sentosa Salim was charged with committing mischief by using fire, with the intent to cause the destruction of a house at about 12.12pm on Oct 13.
The offence, punishable under Section 436 of the Penal Code, carries an imprisonment term of up to 20 years, as well as fine, upon conviction.
According to brief facts of the case, on Oct 13, while the complainant was working in Jalan Tong Sang, he was informed by his employer that his rented house in Bukit Lima Timur, Jalan Padang Ayam had been set on fire by an unknown person.
The complainant rushed back to find that the house had suffered almost 90 percent damage.
He also lost items, including clothes, kitchenware, and school books belonging to his children.
There were three eyewitnesses who saw the suspect and the incident was recorded by the complainant’s neighbour.
He lodged a police report and estimated his loss at RM9,000.
Acting on a tip-off at about 5pm on the same day, at an unumbered house in Bukit Lima Timur, Jalan Padang Ayam, a police party arrested the suspect.
Investigation revealed that the accused was seen by a witness at the complainant’s rented house.
He was seen throwing items and removing mattress from the house, then setting fire to the house.
The accused, who was unrepresented, was ordered to serve his sentence from the date of his arrest.
