Kota Kinabalu: A 30-year-old mechanic was sentenced to six months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court, here, for disposing of a stolen vehicle.
Ronston Mikolin pleaded guilty before Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali to committing the offence on a stolen Proton Wira on Jan 16 this year at about 3.15pm, in front of the Penampang Guan Ying Ting Buddhist Association along Jalan Pan Borneo, Penampang.
The offence falls under Section 414 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of imprisonment ranging from six months to seven years, and may also include a fine upon conviction.
The prosecution informed the court that on Jan 6, at approximately 5am, the complainant realised that a Proton Wira belonging to his aunt, and used by him, had gone missing from Taman Vista Seri Kiranau, Penampang, and was suspected to have been stolen.
A police report was lodged, prompting investigations.
On Jan 16, at about 3.15pm, police arrested Ronston, who subsequently led authorities to recover the stolen vehicle at Jalan Pan Borneo.
Duty counsel Carmen Khoo, representing Ronston, requested a lenient sentence, stating that he was remorseful for his actions. The prosecution sought a deterrent sentence.
The court ordered Ronston to serve his sentence from the date of his arrest.
In a separate case, an undocumented man pleaded trial to theft from a supermarket.
Abit Amirin, 40, pleaded not guilty to stealing five packets of Kit Kat chocolates, two packets of Cadbury chocolates, and one bottle of Nivea For Men spray from a Foodtown Supermarket in Kolombong, Inanam, at 7.05pm on Jan 11.
The charge, framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and may also include a fine upon conviction.
The court fixed March 27 for pre-trial case management and ordered the accused to remain in remand.
