Unemployed man jailed for disposing of stolen handphone

KUALA LUMPUR: An unemployed man who dishonestly disposed of a stolen handphone for cash was sentenced to 10 months' jail for the offence by the Ampang Magistrate's Court here yesterday.

Magistrate Mohamad Firdaus Sadina Ali handed down the sentence on Mohd Shalihuddin Muhammad, 31, who pleaded guilty to disposing the telephone, worth RM1,500, of which belonged to one Lim Eng Kiat, 30, who is a marketing executive.

The offence was committed in front of Hong Leong Bank, Jalan Pasar Pudu, here at 3 pm last Aug 31.

The charge, under Section 414 of the Penal Code, carries an imprisonment for up to seven years and is liable to fine, if found guilty.

Mohd Shalihuddin was ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of arrest, which was Aug 31.

According to the facts of the case, Lim lost his telephone to a snatch thief, who was on a motorcycle, while he was walking near the Pandan Indah LRT Station.

Police investigation on the snatch theft case led to the arrest of Mohd Shalihuddin, who told the police that he had sold the telephone to a telecommunication shop for RM800.

In mitigation, Mohd Shalihuddin, who was unrepresented, said he was taking care of his sick mother.

Deputy public prosecutor Norhashimah Hashim prosecuted. - Bernama