Kota Kinabalu: A 23-year-old man who cheated his friend over a car bodykit installation was jailed 16 months and ordered to receive one stroke of the cane by the Magistrate’s Court here on Tuesday.
Mohammad Harith Ihsan pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to cheating one Samidah Adim of RM320 and her grey Proton Saga Premium S under the pretext of installing a bodykit for the vehicle at Kg Rampayan, Manggatal, at about 1.30pm on Feb 19 this year.
The offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping, and a fine, on conviction.
The court heard that the complainant handed over her car after Harith claimed his acquaintance could install a bodykit and promised completion on the same day.
The complainant made an online payment of RM200 via QR Pay into two different accounts for the supposed service.
The next day, she contacted Harith for updates and was told the car had been taken to Sandakan.
He then requested another RM120 for fuel to bring the car back to Kota Kinabalu, which the complainant also paid via QR Pay.
However, she later discovered that no bodykit had been installed, and Harith then demanded an additional RM600 for the return of her vehicle, prompting her to lodge a police report.
Investigations found that the accused had deceived the complainant into transferring money via TNG accounts for the alleged work and fuel costs.
Unrepresented, Harith appealed for a lenient sentence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronnie AK Anthony urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, saying the accused had abused the complainant’s trust as a friend and misused an automotive service arrangement to obtain money and misappropriate her vehicle.
In another case, a 35-year-old man was jailed one day and fined RM25 or 14 days’ jail for threatening behaviour.
Md Wiramdy Ramlan pleaded guilty before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus to behaving in a threatening manner with intent to provoke a breach of peace at Kozai (Sabah) Sdn Bhd warehouse off Mile 7 at about 8am on May 21 this year.
The offence under Section 8(1)(e) of the Minor Offences Ordinance Sabah carries a fine of up to RM25, on conviction.
The prosecution said the complainant, a factory supervisor, was approached by Wiramdy who asked for help to falsify overtime records to settle a loan.
After being refused, he became angry, challenged the complainant to fight and threatened to call friends to assault him.
The incident was witnessed by another employee and captured on CCTV footage.
Fearing for his safety, the complainant lodged a police report.
Inspector Mohamad Hamidi Mohamad Hamzah prosecuted.
