Filipino jailed 10 years, caned for snatching woman's handbag

KOTA KINABALU: A Filipino was sentenced to 10 years jail and a stroke of the cane for robbing a woman of her handbag.

Sessions Court judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on Abdul Baset Baddang, 26, after he pleaded guilty as charged under Section 394 of the Penal Code.

The indictment provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.

Abdul Baset had allegedly robbed one Hanabelle Lakit Jauharon, a passport holder, and causing hurt to her while committing the offence at Bundusan Commercial Centre, Jalan Bundusan in Penampang at 1.30 am on October 30, 2016.

In mitigation, the accused, who was not represented, pleaded for a leniency while deputy public prosecutor, Husna Abdul Halim, pressed for a deterrent sentence to be imposed against the accused.

The facts of the case stated that while the victim was arranging her stuff in the boot of her car, she was suddenly punched on her face and her handbag on her right shoulder was tugged away by a man who was later identified as Abdul Baset. The victim tussled with Abdul Baset in an effort to retain her handbag and then screamed for help. Her husband, who came to her rescue, caught up with Abdul Baset and retrieved the handbag.

Abdul Baset was then handed over to the police and brought to the Penampang police station.

During the scuffle, the victim suffered bruises to her right cheek and left shoulder and had wounds on her left knee and elbow.