Guard jailed, caned for snatching tourist’s handbag

KOTA KINABALU: A 26-yearold security guard was sentenced to nine years’ jail plus a stroke of the cane for robbing a Russian tourist.

Sessions Court judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed imposed the sentence on Muhammad Ali Edi after he pleaded guilty as charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 14 years jail and also liable to a fine or whipping, upon conviction.

Muhammad Ali had allegedly robbed Zvyagina Lidia of her handbag near a hotel at Coastal Road , Harbour City here at 6 pm on July 5.

In mitigation, the accused, who was not represented, pleaded for a lenient sentence on the grounds that he had two children and siblings to support.

Deputy public prosecutor Rustam Sanip, however, pressed for a deterrent sentence and urged the court to take into account the rampancy of the offence and the victim who was a tourist from abroad.

The facts of the case stated that the victim was walking with her mother to a mall when a man, later identified as the accused, came suddenly from the opposite direction and snatched her handbag from her hand.

She tried to prevent her bag from being taken away but failed and the accused fled the scene.

The victim cried for help and a man, who witnessed the incident, saw the accused running towards the Sembulan village.

The witness went after the accused who was then caught with the help of the villagers and the public and subsequently handed over to the police.

During an identification parade, the victim was able to positively identify the accused.