Driver jailed 5 years, fined RM2,000 for snatch case

MIRI: A lorry driver was sentenced to five years’ jail and fined RM2,000 in default three months’ jail by the Sessions Court yesterday for snatching a woman’s handbag.

Judge Steve Ritikos passed the sentence after considering several factors including the suspect’s guilty plea and appeal, facts of case, seriousness of offence, and public interest.

Sandah Mensan, 29, from Jalan Melayu here was charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 14 years, a fine and whipping upon conviction.

According to facts of the case, Sandah snatched a handbag belonging to Chan Yi Jie, 22, at Jalan Boulevard 3C at 10am on Aug 14, last year.

He appealed for leniency saying this was his first offence.

DPP Aftal Mariz Mohamed prosecuted while the accused was not represented.

In an unrelated case, a restaurant cashier was ordered to be freed with RM7,000-bail and two local sureties after she denied a criminal breach of trust charge involving RM18,000.

Nurul Syafina Shahira Masbi, 23, from Kampung Subak, Bekenu, was charged under Section 408 of the Penal Code which carries a jail sentence of between one and14 years, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.

According to the charge, Nurul allegedly committed breach of trust by using RM18,000 belonging to the restaurant for her personal use.

She allegedly committed the offence between 10.30am and 11pm between Jan 2 and March 11, 2019 at a restaurant here.

Earlier, prosecuting officer ASP Koay Kok Ping applied for a new date for case management as the accused had pleaded not guilty, and claimed trial.

Judge Steve Ritikos set Feb 19 for case management while the accused was advised to engage a lawyer.