BY FADLEY FAISAL
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, OCT 20 – A 31-year-old local man was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Magistrate’s Court yesterday after pleading guilty to stealing two shipping containers.
Magistrate Nur Eleana binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Hairol Arni heard arguments from Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Nurul Atikah Husaini that Ameruddin bin Sabli and an accomplice had carried out the activity between July and August from Kampung Tagap, Selayun.
On October 14, the owner of the container made a report at the Sengkurong Police Station that two iron containers measuring 40 feet and 20 feet used to store building materials were missing. The owner first noticed the loss on October 13 and was later informed by a neighbor that some individuals had loaded the container onto a trailer. However, due to bad weather, the witness failed to record the details of the trailer.
The next day, the owner of the container contacted the trailer rental company and confirmed that there had been a recent rental transaction involving the container in question. The police investigation eventually led to the arrest of Ameruddin.
In court, it was revealed that it was Ameruddin’s accomplice who suggested that they sell the container after seeing it on the side of the road. Ameruddin then placed an ad on Facebook with a price of $700 for a 40-foot container and $400 for a 20-foot container. A buyer agrees to buy both containers for $1,100. The proceeds of the sale were handed over to his accomplice.
The two containers, estimated to be worth $10,000, were successfully recovered and Ameruddin pleaded guilty when questioned by the police. The court also took into account Ameruddin’s previous criminal record in sentencing.
