Stealing is inherently a crime and should be punished. However, there are instances of individuals forced to resort to theft due to their inability to cope with life’s pressures.
A man in Sibu, Sarawak, was recently sentenced to jail after he was caught stealing several packets of Milo from a supermarket and pleaded for leniency, saying that desperation had forced him to commit the crime.
M’sian man jailed 2 weeks for stealing 11 packets of Milo
China Press reported that the accused was 35-year-old Shabarudin (transliteration), who worked as a supervisor and earned a monthly salary of RM1,500.
According to the charge sheet, he was accused of stealing 11 packets of Milo worth RM208.89 from a supermarket at 1.40pm on Jan 12.
His attempt to walk away with the stolen goods was ultimately foiled by a staff member who was working in front of the supermarket, who noticed he was acting suspiciously.
The staff eventually uncovered the theft and lodged a police report.
Claimed he was ‘desperate in life’
Shabarudin was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a fine if convicted. Repeat offenders may also face a whipping.
In court, he pleaded for mercy, saying that he was married with two children and only earned RM1,500 as a supervisor.
I have become desperate in life. I needed money to survive, so that’s why I took the Milo,” he added.
Shabarudin was later sentenced to 2 weeks in jail for the crime.
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