Former clerk bonded, fined RM15k for CBT
KUCHING: A former account clerk cried after she escaped a five-year prison sentence but was fined RM15,000 by the Sessions Court here yesterday on a CBT charge she committed in 2016.
Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad found Tracy Kho Lian Zee, 35, guilty after a full trial to a charge read under Section 408 of the Penal Code.
Dayang Ellyn said although the accused escaped jail she was placed under good behavior bond. The offence had been recorded and the accused punished. Her criminal record would forever remain for the rest of her life.
According to an amended charge, Kho committed CBT by submitting a false claim amounting to RM20,000 in November 2016 at a company premises in Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman here.
Before the sentence was passed, Kho, through his lawyers Gerald Donald and Steven Beti, applied for a bond of good conduct under Section 294 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Gerald said his client (Kho) committed the act due to financial constraints. She had also paid part of the money to the company.
Gerald also said his client’s husband was looking for a job in Singapore when the incident happened. Kho was only a clerk.
“With a salary of RM1,000, my client had to support three children. The eldest one is now still looking for a job.
“My client also has an elderly mother and father-in-law to look after. I therefore request that the court take into account the situation and allow my client to be given a good behavior bond,” Gerald said.
The prosecution was conducted by DPP Ruthra Raj.