SHAH ALAM: A snatch thief who snatched a nine-month pregnant woman's handbag was jailed eight months and fined RM1,500 by the magistrate's court today (May 3).
Shah Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said magistrate Farah Rosnan meted out the sentence on Mohamad Amirul Shafiq Abdullah, 22, after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Iqbal said the magistrate ordered Amirul Shafiq to serve the sentence from today. If he fails to pay the fine, he will be jailed an additional three months.
The charge was framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carried a maximum 10 years' imprisonment and a fine, or both upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Saidah Fasihah Zulkifli prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.
Iqbal said the pregnant victim, aged 37 and had yet to give birth, are in stable condition.
"She has been allowed to return home," he added.
On Tuesday, the victim, a mother of two who works as a factory operator, ran 50 metres as she chased a thief who snatched her handbag while she was using the toilet at a supermarket in Section 23 here.
Her screams and reaction caused a commotion that attracted other members of the public, who joined the chase until the suspect was caught. Iqbal said police received a report about the "dramatic episode" from the woman at 10.57pm.
He said in the incident, the victim had gone to the supermarket alone to buy maternity items to prepare for the birth of her third child.
She had hung her handbag on the toilet door hook before it was snatched by the suspect.
Iqbal said the suspect, who had criminal and drug records, was remanded for three days before being charged in court.