By Nour Maghfirah –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 1 OCT – Pengiran Masni Intermediate Court Judge Pengiran Haji Bahar yesterday sentenced a 34-year-old local man to four years and 11 months in prison and a $1,000 fine for a series of offenses including trespassing, cheating and violating road traffic rules.
Ampuan Abdul Razaini Zikri bin Ampuan Abdul Rahman will have to serve an additional month in prison if he fails to pay the fine.
At first, the defendant denied the charges, but changed his mind and pleaded guilty to trespassing, forgery, using a false registration plate and driving without a license. The court was informed that the defendant had previous convictions, including theft and fraud.
On August 10, Ampuan Abdul Razaini broke into his aunt’s house in Kampung Sungai Buloh after taking the victim’s house key without permission. Once inside, he took two sets of car keys and a pair of sneakers. His actions were spotted by the victim’s brother, who reported the matter to the police.
After that, Ampuan Abdul Razaini took a gray Suzuki Ignis, replaced the car’s registration plate with the registration plate of a Volvo parked in Gadong, and used the car to drive around various locations, including Jerudong and Kuala Belait.
Prosecuting Officer Nurul Husna Aqilah Haji Abidin presented the facts of the case, stating that the defendant had filled up his car at a gas station, where he deceived the attendant by claiming that another customer would pay for his gas.
In addition, the investigation found that Ampuan Abdul Razaini never had a valid driver’s license.
After his arrest on August 11 in a homestay in Beribi, police found car keys and shoes.
The defendant, who has a history of theft and fraud, urged the court to give leniency but was given the sentence based on the seriousness of his repeated offences.
