A 34-year-old man was sentenced to 2 months in prison by the Magistrate’s Court today (January 14) for stealing cartons of milk almost 2 years ago.
Hamim Heji, who works at a night market, got the sentence after pleading guilty to stealing 597 cartons of milk worth more than RM20,000.
They stole milk valued at RM22,000
According to the charge, he was accused, along with 2 other individuals who have not been charged, of stealing from a building, as reported by Sinar Harian.
They stole 261 cartons of chocolate milk (1 litre) and 336 cartons of full cream milk (1 litre), valued at RM22,000.
The crime is said to have occurred at a dairy factory in Jalan Prof Khoo Kay Kim between 4:51 AM on July 1 and 4:43 AM on July 22, 2023.
The dad of 3 was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine, if convicted.
“He was only helping a friend at the market”
During the proceedings, lawyer M. Soosai Raj pleaded for the court to impose a minimum fine, stating that his client needed to take care of his wife and children, aged 7, 5, and 3.
“He was only helping a friend with a business at the night market, and his RM900 monthly income is used to support his family. I ask that he be given a one-day jail sentence since this is his first offense” said the lawyer.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie requested the court to consider the losses suffered by the factory.
“The court should impose a penalty as a lesson, taking into account the public interest,” she said.
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Also read: Muar Judge Reduces Sentence of M’sian Father Who Stole Bananas to 10 Days in Jail