KUALA LUMPUR: A former head of accounts at a private transport company was sentenced to five and a half years in jail and fined RM238,500 for committing criminal breach of trust (CBT) totalling RM5.5 million over the past eight years.
Session's Court Judge Hasbullah Adam meted out the sentence against Teo Chee Peng, 53, after he pleaded guilty to all 123 charges at the same court earlier this month.
According to charge sheets, the accused had allegedly committed CBT in his capacity as the company's head of accounts by issuing 123 cheques totalling RM5,502,414 to Revolusi Angkasa Sdn Bhd by forging the signature of the company director, Yap Choon Lai, 64.
He committed the offences at an office in Jalan 1/46A Off Jalan Selinsing 7, Taman Niaga Waris here, between May 12, 2012 and March 17, 2020.
The offences, under Section 408 of the Penal Code, carry a maximum jail term of 14 years, whipping, and fine.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Siti Nur Hajar Hamzah asked the court to take into consideration 42 charges against the accused after he transferred several of his properties to Choon Lai.
Counsel Tia Poh Yew, when pleading for a lenient sentence, said his client had transferred two properties worth RM2 million to the complainant (Choon Lai) as a repayment.
"My client had also surrendered his Audi A6 worth RM400,000 to the complainant and expected to transfer his third property worth RM500,000 to the latter.
"My client had also given his full cooperation throughout the investigation," he said.
Hasbullah later said the court had acquitted and discharged the accused of 42 charges, but his guilty plea on the remaining 81 charges remained.
"After hearing all submissions from both parties and your attempt to redeem yourself, I sentence you to five years and six months in jail and a RM3,500 fine in default of seven days' imprisonment for each charge.
"The jail sentence will run concurrently.
"The accused will have to pay a RM238,500 fine or he shall be liable to another 567 days in jail if he fails to do so," Hasbullah said.
Several people believed to be the accused relatives were present during the proceedings.
They hugged the accused before he was ushered out of the courtroom.