Kota Kinabalu: A 33-year-old jobless who confessed that he used a “short-cut” way to settle his debts by robbing a woman, was jailed seven years’ jail plus a stroke of the cane.
Yusof Tahir, who pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Ummu Khaltom Abdul Samad, said that he has three similar cases in court but in different places.
He informed the court that he committed the offences because he wanted to settle his debts.
Yusof had robbed 21-year-old woman of RM279.60 and a box of cigarette at 11.50pm on June 6 this year at the Kedai 24-Jam Orange in Jalan Segama, here.
During the incident, Yusof had caused fear to the victim by threatening he would harm her.
The offence under Section 392 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 14 years, and whipping, on conviction.
The court ordered Yusof to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on June 15 this year.
In asking for leniency, Yusof who was not represented, told the court that he was pressured into committing the robbery because of his debts. He said he has a wife and children to look after.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Fauzi Acho urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence on the grounds that it was a serious offence and had caused trauma to the victim who had resigned from her work after the incident.
Fauzi submitted that by committing the offence to settle his debts, was not an excuse for Yusof as he can find a job because he is young and healthy.
The court heard that the incident occurred while the victim was working at the outlet, when an unknown man wearing face mask and hat, entered the outlet and pretended to buy cigarettes.
The man, later identified as Yusof, went to the counter, took out a ‘L’ shape iron and threatened the victim that he would harm her if she refuse to give him all the money from the drawer.
The victim, fearing for her safety, surrendered RM279.60 cash to Yusof who then fled the scene with the money and the cigarettes.
Yusof’s act was recorded through the CCTV footage and following a report lodged by the victim, Yusof was arrested.
