A married man pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to charges of criminal mischief after allegedly using a machete to damage a woman’s house gate out of jealousy over her relationship with another man.
The accused, Edward Xavier, 40, entered the plea after the charges were read before Magistrate Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman.
According to the charge, Edward allegedly damaged the metal security gate of a 37-year-old woman at a flat in Pangsapuri Hilir Kota Champor, Jalan Melaka, in Melaka Tengah at about 5.40pm on May 18, 2026.
He was charged under Section 426 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The court heard that the accused had allegedly gone to the woman’s house in an angry state and demanded that she open the door because he was unhappy she had begun a relationship with another man known as “Vinot”.
When the woman refused to open the door and instead asked him to leave, he allegedly used a machete to hack and damage the metal gate.
In the same proceedings, Edward also claimed trial to a second charge of criminal mischief under the same section for allegedly smashing the rear windscreen and side mirror of a Proton Persona belonging to his sister-in-law.
The incident allegedly occurred at about 10.30am on May 17 at Pangsapuri Sri Johor, Semabok, causing losses estimated at RM890.
The prosecution alleged the accused damaged the vehicle because he was unhappy that his sister-in-law had helped his wife lodge a police report accusing him of taking his partner’s motorcycle.
Deputy Public Prosecutor S. Thivia initially proposed bail of RM10,000 for both charges.
However, National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Muhammad Izzuddin Ab. Malek, representing the accused, appealed for lower bail, saying his client worked as a contract worker and had six children to support.
The court granted bail of RM5,000 for both charges with one surety and fixed Sept 22 for the next case mention.
