By Fadley Faisal –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, NOV 26 – The Magistrate’s Court today sentenced a 39-year-old local man to two months in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing two iron drain covers from a tuition center in Beribi.
Magistrate Syaffina Shahif handed down the sentence against Muhammad Mustajir bin Haji Hariah following his guilty plea.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Musawwir bin Haji Awang Mahli revealed that the theft took place between November 18 and 20. The defendant and an accomplice drove to the Beribi Tuition Center and stole two metal drain covers valued at $240.
The theft came to light on November 19, when the complainant was alerted by an employee about the missing drain cover. CCTV footage revealed a car arriving at the centre, and a man was seen taking the drain cover.
The complainant also found another iron drain cover missing and then made a police report.
A police investigation identified the defendant and led to his arrest.
During interrogation, the defendant admitted that he intended to steal the metal drain cover while driving with his accomplice. After taking the drain cover, they sold it along with other hardware for $37.
The stolen drain cover was never found. The defendant was also found to have no previous property-related convictions.
