Man gets RM5,000 fine for theft, impersonating customs officer

MIRI: A man was fined RM5,000 in default of three months jail by a magistrate’s court here for the and impersonating a Royal Malaysian Customs Department officer.

The sentence was passed by Magistrate Md. Syafique Md. Hilmie a er considering the accused’s guilty plea and appeal, facts of the case, the seriousness of the offence as well as public interest.

John Ernester Anthony, 23, from Jalan Utama Permyjaya here was charged according to Section 379 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term up to seven years or fine or both upon conviction.

According to facts of the case, John had stolen RM900 belonging to Arnold Rudolf George, 21.

He commi ed the offence at 8.15pm on Sept 15, at Jalan Sukma in Senadin here.

Apart from that, the accused is also facing another charge under Section 170 of the Penal Code for impersonating a civil servant from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

For the offence, the accused can be jailed up to two years or fined or both upon conviction.

Based on the charge, John had impersonated a customs officer and conducted inspection on Arnold Rudolf George, 21.

He commi ed the offence at the same time and place.

In court, the accused pleaded for leniency saying that this was his offence, and he commi ed the crime because he was desperate for money to support his family.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Rishan Kumar Ragandaran prosecuted while the accused was not represented.