(Kuching, 28th) A local man was today sentenced to two months imprisonment by the Kuching Sessions Court for stealing three statues and multiple brass ritual items from a Hindu temple on Hospital Road, Kuching.
The 56-year-old, Thayalan, pleaded guilty in front of Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali yesterday morning. After the court interpreter read out the charge in court, he admitted to the crime.
He was charged with stealing several brass ritual items, including a chain oil lamp, brass trays, and three statues from a Hindu temple on Jalan Hospital at about 8:30 a.m. on September 9.
The charge was framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code (theft in a dwelling), which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, after the temple administrator discovered the ritual items were missing on the day of the incident, a police report was immediately lodged.
Acting on information, police arrested the suspect at an unnumbered house on Jalan Kampung Gita Laut at 1:45 p.m. on September 18.
Investigations revealed that the accused stole these items in order to sell them to scrap metal dealers for cash.
CCTV footage confirmed the accused had appeared at the scrap metal shop, and a witness also pointed out that the accused was carrying a bag containing the stolen items at the time.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng prosecuted the case. The accused was unrepresented and appeared in court on his own behalf.
The 56-year-old, Thayalan, pleaded guilty in front of Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali yesterday morning. After the court interpreter read out the charge in court, he admitted to the crime.
He was charged with stealing several brass ritual items, including a chain oil lamp, brass trays, and three statues from a Hindu temple on Jalan Hospital at about 8:30 a.m. on September 9.
The charge was framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code (theft in a dwelling), which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, after the temple administrator discovered the ritual items were missing on the day of the incident, a police report was immediately lodged.
Acting on information, police arrested the suspect at an unnumbered house on Jalan Kampung Gita Laut at 1:45 p.m. on September 18.
Investigations revealed that the accused stole these items in order to sell them to scrap metal dealers for cash.
CCTV footage confirmed the accused had appeared at the scrap metal shop, and a witness also pointed out that the accused was carrying a bag containing the stolen items at the time.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng prosecuted the case. The accused was unrepresented and appeared in court on his own behalf.