Kota Kinabalu: A33-year-old man was jailed seven years and ordered given 10 strokes of the cane for having 33.33gm of syabu.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus handed the sentence to Padillah Jamiry who changed his plea during the continuation of his trial and admitted to the charge against him.
Padillah was found in possession the drug at 2pm on June 19, 2023 in front of the Kedai Star wash in Likas Plaza, here.
The offence under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and punishable under Section 39A(2) of the same Act carries a jail between five years and life imprisonment, and whipping at least 10 strokes, on conviction.
The prosecution had already called three witnesses in the hearing and on Tuesday two witnesses were supposedly to testify.
During mitigation, the unrepresented Padillah asked for leniency saying he is suffering from seizures, asthma and heart problem.
He informed the court that it was his first offence, very remorseful and promised to not repeat it again.
Padillah also told the court that he has a child to look after.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sofia Sawayan urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence as Padillah only changed plea after the prosecution called three witnesses in the hearing.
