Man jailed 12 months for trespassing into unoccupied Matang Jaya house

KUCHING (Jan 30): The Magistrates’ Court here on Thursday sentenced a 29-year-old man to 12 months’ imprisonment for trespassing into an unoccupied house at Taman Matang Jaya last December.

Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan imposed the sentence on Iqmal Puniman after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 448 of the Penal Code.

The section provides for a maximum prison term of three years, a fine of up to RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.

Iqmal was found trespassing into the house situated on a private lot at Taman Matang Jaya, at about 9.30am on Dec 12 last year.

According to the facts of the case, a neighbour saw Iqmal climbing over the gate and entering the house compound.

When the neighbour reprimanded him, Iqmal fled the scene, but the neighbour was able to identify him.

The neighbour subsequently lodged a police report, prompting authorities to track him down, which led to his arrest.

During investigation, Iqmal admitted to trespassing on the property but was not found to have taken anything.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani appeared for the prosecution, while Iqmal was unrepresented.