Man in Kuching jailed 12 months for retaining stolen items

KUCHING (July 31) A 30-year-old man was jailed 12 months by the Magistrates’ Court here today for dishonestly retaining a woman’s stolen branded purse, keys and personal documents.

Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan meted out the sentence against Stephanie after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 411 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of between six months and five years, and a fine, upon conviction.

Based on the facts of the case, a 41-year-old woman discovered her handbag stolen from her unlocked car parked in front of a shop on Jalan Penrissen here on July 2, 2024.

The stolen bag contained a luxury-brand purse, two mobile phones, RM200 cash, bank cards, identification cards belonging to her and her children, keys, and other items.

She filed a police report, leading to Stephanie’s arrest at a house in Jalan Capital Garden here at around 12.10pm on July 25, 2024.

Police also seized from him the woman’s purse, two bank cards, four identification cards, a driving licence, a bunch of keys, and a bakery membership card.

Investigations found that Stephanie had dishonestly retained stolen items belonging to the woman.

Insp Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang prosecuted the case while Stephanie was unrepresented by legal counsel.