Fadley Faisal

Two local men who pleaded guilty to shoplifting from several local branches of the Guardian Health and Beauty Store were handed prison sentences by the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Muhammad Farik Fadillah bin Panjang, 32, who holds previous theft convictions, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, while Mohammad Faizal bin Dulrahman, 33, received eight months’ imprisonment.

Magistrate Dewi Norlelawati binti Haji Abdul Hamid saw the need for deterrence and the protection of others’ property in the case, given that it was premeditated and some of the items were never recovered.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Aeny Zullizam revealed in court that the pair had first targetted the Kampong Mata-Mata branch of the Guardian Health and Beauty Store on July 20, during which they stole three EDT 100ml fragrances and a bottle of Whey Protein.

After that, they made their way to the Batu Bersurat branch, where they stole five EDT 100ml fragrances and four bottles of On Amino Energy.

On July 28, the pair struck at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex branch, where they made away with two 50ml perfume sprays and six 100ml fragrances.

Later, they continued their crime spree at the Seri Qlap Mall, where they stole two bottles of On Amino Energy.

That night, they went again to the Kampong Mata-Mata branch, where they stole four bottles of On Amino Energy. However, they were recognised by the employees as suspects in a series of thefts from various Guardian Health and Beauty Store branches.

The employees immediately checked CCTV footage from July 28, which caught the defendants in the act of committing the offence.

A police report was then lodged, which led to the defendants’ arrest.