A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months’ jail and fined RM1,400 by the Magistrate’s Court here after pleading guilty to stealing money from mosque donation boxes, including funds collected for a funeral van and a worshipper’s handbag.
Magistrate Dr Teoh Shu Yee handed down the sentence on Muhammad Riduan Abdullah after he admitted to three separate charges that were read out in court.
For the first charge, the accused was found to have committed mischief by breaking into the sliding door of Masjid Al-Najihin in Kampung Padang Sebang, Alor Gajah, using a ladder at about 5.30am on June 7.
He was charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
In another incident on the same day, he was accused of stealing cash from a donation collection for a funeral van at Masjid Al-Qaniteen, Tanjung Rimau, also in Alor Gajah.
He was further charged with stealing a woman’s handbag at Masjid Ar-Rasyidin in Kampung Jelatang at about 4.45pm on June 8, causing losses estimated at RM2,200.
Both theft charges were framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and possible fines if convicted.
During mitigation, a legal aid counsel representing the accused appealed for a lighter sentence, saying his client was unemployed and had no family support.
However, the prosecution pressed for a stiffer penalty, stressing that the offences were committed in places of worship.
In delivering her judgment, Dr Teoh said the court considered that the crimes took place in mosques, which are meant to be safe spaces for worship and public trust.
She added that such actions had eroded public confidence in places of worship as safe and secure environments.
The court then sentenced the accused to 10 months’ imprisonment for the theft charges, while also imposing the fine for the first charge, with a default jail term if unpaid.
