Trader jailed seven years over stolen Toyota Hilux

KOTA KINABALU: The owner of a vehicle accessories shop was jailed for seven years for dealing in a stolen Toyota Hilux pick-up truck in Miri, Sarawak.

Deputy Registrar Cindy Mc Juce Balitus, who sat as the Sessions Court judge, imposed the sentence on Tiong Hook Chiong, 42, after finding him guilty at the end of a full trial.

In delivering her decision yesterday, she held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore convicted the accused guilty as charged.

Tiong had committed the offence together with another person who is still at large, at Desa Indah Fasa 3, Bandar

Baru Permyjaya Tudan in Miri, Sarawak between February 15 and March 15, 2018.

The stolen vehicle, which was reported missing in Putatan, belongs to one Razak Tambi, 55.

The offence under Section 413 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 20 years and also liable to a fine, upon conviction.

Nine prosecution witnesses were called in the prosecution stage while in defence stage, only one defence witness was produced.

In mitigation, counsel Aida Jaafar Mad Ariff, who defended the accused, pleaded for leniency on the grounds that the accused, who is the sole breadwinner, is married and has two children.

She also said the accused is a first-time offender and did not commit any violence.

Deputy public prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman, in her reply urged for a deterrent sentence to be imposed against the accused since the car owner had not only incurred losses, but was also complainant of the case.

The court also ordered Tiong to serve the jail sentence yesterday, however, counsel Dominic Chew who was present together with Aida had applied for a stay of execution.

The said application was allowed by the court with an additional RM5,000 to be imposed on his current bail.