Youth fined for inconsiderate driving

KOTA KINABALU: The Traffic Court here yesterday fined a youth RM6,000, in default, six months’ jail for inconsiderate driving.

Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie imposed the fine on Loo Jian Ting, 21, after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge under Section 43 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

The indictment carries a fine of up to RM10,000 and a maximum jail term of 12 months, upon conviction.

Loo was previously charged with reckless driving which resulted in the death of his Indonesian colleague, an offence under Section 41 (1) of the same Act 1987, which is punishable with a jail term of not less than two years and not more than three years and a fine between RM5,000 to RM10,000, upon conviction.

The accused had written a letter of representation to reduce the original charge to the deputy public prosecutor’s office which was accepted.

He had admitted to committing the offence at Lintas Road in front of building on February 20, 2016.

The court also ordered for the accused’s conviction to be endorsed on his driving license.

In pleading for a lenient sentence, the accused, represented by counsel Yong Pei Yi, submitted that he was a firsttime offender and had taken the initiative to compensate the family of the deceased and to provide help to the said family when necessary.

His counsel also said that the Indonesian colleague had been hospitalised for 12 days and was later discharged on the pretext that the hospital had insufficient beds.

The colleague subsequently passed away on March 11, about a week after returning home from the hospital due reportedly to severe pneumonia.

Inspector Hanif Mamyudi appeared for the prosecution.