Security guard jailed four months for stealing RM80 from mosque

KUCHING: A 28-year-old security guard, who stole RM80 in donations from a mosque in Jalan Landeh here, was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Oct 12).

Magistrate Nureina Syafika Mohd Najib meted out the sentence to Shukri Hassan after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 380 of the Penal Code.

The section provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine upon conviction. For a second or subsequent offence, the offender is liable to imprisonment and may also be fined or whipped.

Shukri committed the offence at about 8.15am on Oct 7 at Al Muhajirin Mosque along Jalan Landeh, Mile 10, where he stole RM80 from the mosque’s donation box.

The facts of the case revealed that a mosque committee member discovered that the donation box had been opened and damaged.

Upon checking, the member found that RM80 was missing and subsequently lodged a police report for further action.

Police arrested Shukri at about 4.40pm on Oct 9 at a house near Taman Landeh, Jalan Landeh.

Among the items seized during the arrest were a black shirt, a pair of black trousers and a sling bag.

Investigations revealed that Shukri had stolen the RM80, which comprised donations contributed by members of the public to the mosque.

The court was also told that Shukri had deliberately approached a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera and made a peace sign.

In mitigation, Shukri told the court that he stole the money to buy food and cigarettes.

He also said he did not want to keep asking his mother for money.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan prosecuted the case while Shukri was unrepresented.