RM800 FINE FOR FISHING AT FACTORY POND

Labourer tells court he trespassed into compound to fish for food

AMAN who trespassed into a factory compound to fish for food was fined RM800, in default one-week jail, by the magistrate’s court here.

Jerry Jenis, 35, who does odd jobs to support his elderly parents, pleaded guilty before magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie to trespassing into a fenced compound, which used to be a furniture factory, in Kg Pulutan, Manggatal, on June 7 at 6.30pm.

He was convicted of committing criminal trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to six months or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Jerry ’s counsel, Lim Ming Zoong @ Lawrence of the National Legal Aid Foundation, asked for a lenient sentence as he was a first-time offender, was remorseful for his actions and needed to take care of his parents.

Asked why he trespassed into the premises, Jerry said he wanted to fish at a pond there for food.

He told the court that he was facing hard times and sometimes had no income.

Jerry said he made a living by laying pipes.

In the same court, another man was jailed six months for selling two stolen gas cylinders.

Muhammad Abdullah, 27, admitted to selling property stolen from Abduham Munta Abdurham at 6.50am on June 6, at Kampung Melawa in Telipok.

Muhammad was convicted under Section 414 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to seven years’ jail or a fine or both.

Abduham was told by villagers that Muhammad had stolen the gas cylinders.

He went to meet Muhammad and managed to get a confession out of him. Muhammad later led Abduham to where the gas cylinders were sold.

Upon recovering the gas cylinders, Abduham brought Muhammad to a police station for further action.

Muhammad was ordered to serve his jail term from the date of his arrest of June 6.

Inspector Suzie @ Stephanie Kupit prosecuted both cases.