BATU PAHAT: A 31-year-old man was sentenced to seven years in jail for robbing a 69-year-old woman in her house last month.
"This is not the first time, this is the second time you have robbed," said Judge Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh to the man, who was arrested under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) 1959 after pleading guilty to robbing the woman.
The accused, Kalairasan Chandan, 31, who had served a sentence for the same offence in 2021, pleaded guilty after the charge was read by an interpreter.
The court sentenced him to seven years in prison starting from the date of his arrest on Aug 26 and one stroke of the cane.
Before handing down the sentence, Osman Affendi also asked the accused why he repeated the same act even though he had been sentenced before.
"Even if you are desperate, the action (robbery) is not the right way. What happens to the victim you rob?
"Even if you don't use a weapon, it's not the right move. This harms them and the community also feels insecure," he said.
According to the charges, the father of four was accused of robbing a gold chain and bracelet belonging to a 69-year-old woman in a house in Kampung Parit Haji Baijuri, Semerah, here, at 1pm on Aug 26.
He was charged with committing an offence under Section 392 of the Penal Code which can be punished with a jail term of up to 14 years and also a fine or caning if convicted.
Based on the facts of the case, the accused entered through the back door of the victim's house.
He then threatened her and robbed her of a necklace and gold bracelet.
After the robbery, the accused fled and he later sold the jewellery at a gold shop in the city.
He was caught on CCTV footage selling the valuables involved.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Izzati Rozman prosecuted while the accused was not represented by a lawyer.
Earlier, the prosecution asked the court to consider an appropriate punishment taking into account the offence that could cause fear to the public.
"The court needs to take into account the accused's past record, as well as the interests of the public in relation to his actions," he said.
When given the opportunity by the court to appeal, the accused said he was in desperation after failing to pay his monthly house rental for four months.
"I have to support the children, my wife. I received many calls to pay the house rent but, I have no money.
"My work is uncertain, there was a time when I was a fisherman, and now I am a scrap metal lorry hauler," he said while crying.