Serian man fined RM4,500 for fleeing from police, damaging patrol car

Court file image. Photo: Freepik

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, Aug 13: A 27-year-old man from Serian received a RM4,500 fine, or eight months in jail, by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to charges of fleeing from police inspection and damaging a police car.

Steven Liew Jiew Fook pleaded guilty to the charges before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan, who imposed a RM1,500 fine or one-month imprisonment for the first charge and a RM3,000 fine or seven-month imprisonment for the second charge.

The first charge, under Section 186 of the Penal Code, was for obstructing police duties. The second charge, under Section 427 of the Penal Code, involved committing mischief by damaging the police car, causing RM1,000 worth of damages.

The offenses were committed around 9.50pm on August 11, 2024, near Lorong Westwood 4, Gan Swee Cho Garden.

Case facts revealed that a police patrol team was conducting crime prevention rounds in the area when they spotted a compact car, with the driver (the accused) acting suspiciously outside the vehicle. When the police activated the patrol car’s beacon light, Liew attempted to flee by reversing his car into the front of the police vehicle.

Despite repeated orders to stop, Liew continued his escape attempt until he crashed into a road sign at the scene. He also failed to cooperate with the police and attempted to run over one of the officers.

In response, the police fired a shot at the front right tire of Liew’s car to immobilise the vehicle, leading to his arrest.

It was reported that Liew was under the influence of drugs during the incident, and he had a previous criminal record under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Inspector Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang appeared for the prosection, while the accused was not represented by a lawyer. — DayakDaily