| Hakim Hayat |

A 26-YEAR-OLD local man was sentenced to 30 months in prison by the Bandar Magistrate’s Court after he pleaded guilty to a string of thefts in houses and commercial complexes.

According to court documents, in the first charge, Awangku Abdul Malek bin Pengiran Idrus was accused of stealing a Samsung Note 2 from a house in Kampong Lambak Kanan B between 11am and noon on November 13, 2018. Police investigations revealed that he sold the phone for BND60 and divided the proceeds with a friend and used the money for his own expenses.

The defendant was also charged for the theft of a Gucci sling bag that contained make-up items and a Puma backpack with a wallet, identification card, ATM card, a Vivo phone and a Sim card from Hua Ho Manggis Complex on November 20, 2018 between 12.45pm to 5.15pm.

The owners of the two stolen bags work as sales promoters at the shopping complex and stored their bags nearby a staircase where they were reported stolen. Police investigations revealed the defendant sold the phone for BND110.

The other charge read that he stole a Matrix television, PS4 game console, a pair of Adidas trainers and a small radio from a house in Jalan Pasir Berakas between March 24 and 28.

Magistrate Kamaliah Fadhilah binti Haji Ibrahim presided over the case and ordered for the defendant to be sent to prison immediately after his guilty plea. Prosecuting the case was Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhd Qamarul Affyian bin Abdul Rahman.