Corpun file 25216 at www.corpun.com
Borneo Bulletin, Bandar Seri Begawan, 7 March 2014
Seven armed robbers get jail, whipping
By Fadley Faisal
SEVEN armed men who ganged up and robbed homes were sentenced to lengthy jail terms with multiple strokes of the whip yesterday at the High Court.
Dubbed as the Beribi house gang robbers, they recently pleaded guilty to committing robbery involving two local siblings, believed to be the masterminds.
The seven men entered their pleas to 11 charges they faced in the High Court yesterday.
Justice Dato Paduka Hairol Arni Hj Abd Majid handed down a sentence of 11 years, eight months' jail with 12 strokes of the cane on 43-year-old Ikas Sunaryo.
The Indonesian defendants are 22-year-old Aris Irawan, who received seven years with 12 strokes of the cane; 34-year-old Yuli Rudi Wijayanto, who received 11 years, eight months' jail and 12 strokes of the cane; 34-year-old Sofian, who got 14 years, eight months' jail with 12 strokes of the cane; and Syamsul Ariffin, who received 11 years, eight months' jail with 12 strokes of the cane.
Two Bruneian defendants are 46-year-old Jamudin bin Hj Suhaili who received 11 years, eight months' jail with 12 strokes of the cane; and 40-year-old Wahid bin Mazid who got seven years' jail with five strokes of the cane. March 8, 2014 was fixed for trial management on the two local siblings who have denied involvement in the case.
They are 43-year-old Siti Sara binti Hj Daud and 44-year-old Ali Rahman bin Hj Daud, represented by defence counsel Rozaiman Rahman.
The court said the extremely serious offences were premeditated, committed by a gang to easily subdue victims at their homes and with determination.
Seven of these defendants have all pleaded guilty to all charges they faced.
The first and second charges stated offences of housebreaking by night into a home on November 20, 2013 at 8pm to commit theft of valuables and mischief by causing damage to a glass window worth $277.
The third charge stated an offence of housebreaking at Kg Pengkalan Batu for the theft of jewellery, watches, gadgets and $2,000 cash during the wee hours of November 20, 2013.
The fourth charge stated an offence of housebreaking at Kg Beribi during the wee hours of December 1, 2013 for theft of honorary medals and other belongings.
A fifth charge stated an offence of theft at Kg Jangsak of a mobile phone, $300 cash and a BMW 520i; and in that commission caused wrongful restraint on a 36-year-old man whilst armed with a machete.
The sixth charge stated an offence of housebreaking by night at Kg Sg Buloh at around midnight on December 9, 2013 for theft of personal belongings including jewellery worth $14,000 and over $2,000 cash.
The eighth charge stated an offence of housebreaking by night at Kg Sengkurong during the wee hours of December 12, 2013 for the theft of watches, jewellery, cameras and keys. The ninth charge stated an offence of gang robbery at Kg Mata-Mata at about 2am on December 26, 2013 and the theft of gadgets, handbags, mobile phones, jewellery and other personal items as well as $200 cash.
The eleventh charge stated an offence of an armed gang robbery, theft of a handbag, B$2,000 and RM700 in cash, credit cards, debit cards, identity card, mobile phones, jewellery and assorted keys from Kg Beribi and in the wrongful restraint armed with a machete of a couple who occupied the home.
Investigations by the Special Investigations Unit of the CID Police led to the arrests of the defendants.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Pg Nina Jasmine Pg Hj Bahrin appeared for the Public Prosecutor.
© 2013 Borneo Bulletin Online
