The High Court has increased the jail sentence of a 67-year-old man who vandalised ATM screens at a bank in Jinjang Selatan, raising his punishment from 10 months to one year after ruling that the original sentence was below the legal minimum.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid said the magistrate’s court had erred in sentencing Leong Kuen under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which stipulates a minimum imprisonment term of one year for mischief-related offences.
“The minimum sentence for this offence under Section 427 of the Penal Code is one year, but the magistrate had imposed a 10-month sentence,” he said during proceedings, adding that the revised sentence would take effect from the date of Leong’s arrest on February 18.
Leong, who appeared in court, acknowledged that he understood the ruling.
Last month, he had pleaded not guilty to damaging five ATM screens at a bank on February 17, resulting in reported losses amounting to RM43,271. He is also facing separate charges involving similar acts of vandalism at other banks between February 16 and 17.
The case highlights the courts’ strict approach towards property damage offences, particularly those involving financial institutions and public facilities, where statutory sentencing guidelines must be adhered to.
