SIBU: A 38-year-old man was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisoment by the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (Oct 4) for committing robbery.
Sessions Court Judge Marutin Pagan also ordered Frankie Chaong Lagi from Song to receive five strokes of whipping.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, together with another person, jointly and voluntarily caused harm to one Sulaiman Ason, 44, resulting in injuries while robbing him of a mobile phone on Feb 13 at around 6.20pm at the roadside on Market Road.
The other accused, Romie Romada Selukai, 24, from Kapit claimed trial to the joint charge.
The offence is framed under Section 394 of the Penal Code, which provides for an imprisonment term of up to 20 years and liable to a fine or whipping, upon conviction.
In presenting the facts of the case, deputy public prosecutor David Bakit told the court that on the day of the crime, the complainant was walking on Market Road when he was approached by two unknown males.
One of them choked him and robbed him of his belongings, including a mobile phone, before they fled.
The complainant tried to chase after them until they reached the back of an alley, where another accused hit him on the forehead with his hands and choked him before running away.
The complainant went to the police station to lodge a report.
On the same day at about 9.30pm following a tip-off, a police team led by ASP Radzani Rasit proceeded to the wharf at Khoo Peng Loong Road and arrested both accused for further investigation.
Police investigation revealed that the complainant was approached by both accused and was assaulted by Frankie, who snatched his mobile phone and cap. Another accused, Romie, assaulted him while he was chasing them.
The police also successfully seized several items, including a mobile phone and a cap from the accused.
The complainant was brought to Sibu Hospital for a medical examination, which found that he sustained soft tissue injuries to his forehead and scalp.
“Therefore, both of the accused had committed an offence under Section 394 of the Penal Code and are punishable under the same code for voluntarily causing hurt to the complainant while committing a robbery,” DPP David added.
Frankie, who was not represented by legal counsel, was ordered to serve his sentence from the date of his arrest on Feb 13.
