An unemployed man who was acquitted of an alleged murder conspiracy charge a few months ago has returned to court and was fined RM2,500 for committing extortion against a food stall owner in July.
Mok Kum Loon, 41, pleaded guilty after the charge was read before Magistrate Nor Azilah Mat, who then handed down the sentence.
The court also ordered the accused to serve six months in prison if he failed to pay the fine. However, Mok settled the payment.
Based on the charge, Mok was accused of intentionally causing fear to a 25-year-old woman with the intention of committing extortion at a food shop in Lorong Senah, Kawasan 18, at about 4pm on July 15.
He was charged under Section 385 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any combination of the punishments upon conviction.
Defence lawyer Lavin Thiruchelvam told the court that his client is married and has two children, with one of them currently pursuing studies at a university. He added that Mok’s parents also have health issues.
The lawyer said Mok had apologised for the offence and requested a fine-based sentence to allow him to return to society.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Sulfie Abu Hassan urged the court to impose a deterrent punishment as a lesson to the accused.
Previously, Mok was acquitted by the Klang High Court on April 24 of a charge of abetting in the murder of Chow Tiam Hee, 41, at Taman Anika, Sungai Udang.
The acquittal involved Mok and three other individuals, including a freelance interpreter, in connection with a murder case linked to an alleged staged robbery that took place in the district four years ago.
