A 29-year-old unemployed father of two has been sentenced to one month in jail after pleading guilty to stealing basic household items worth RM113.70 from a supermarket in Kuala Terengganu on New Year’s Day.
According to Sinar Harian, Magistrate Iffah Nabihah Mohd Ishak handed down the sentence after the charge was read out and admitted to by the accused, Muhamad Azrul Haqim Azman, during court proceedings today.
Court documents stated that the incident occurred at about 9.30pm, when Muhamad Azrul took several everyday necessities from the supermarket without paying. The items included a bottle of Carrie Junior Hair and Body Wash, two units of Selsun 2-in-1 shampoo, a Lifebuoy body wash and a Byford singlet, with a total value of RM113.70.
He was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine. Repeat offenders may also face whipping upon conviction.
In mitigation, the defence told the court that Muhamad Azrul had resorted to stealing due to financial hardship after losing his job and having no regular source of income. He is married and has two children, aged four years and three months.
The defence added that the items were taken solely to meet his family’s daily needs and not for resale. The court also heard that the accused suffers from high blood pressure, has no prior criminal record and that this was his first offence.
