IPOH: A labourer was sentenced to 21 years and two months in prison and 14 lashes by the magistrate's court today for 13 charges of defrauding eKasih assistance.
Muhammad Halmi Ismail, 49, pleaded guilty to four charges before magistrate Siti Nora Sharif and nine additional charges before magistrate S. Punitha.
Despite the cumulative sentence, he will serve a four-year prison term and receive 13 lashes after both magistrates ordered the sentences to run concurrently from today's conviction date.
In Siti Nora's court, Muhammad Halmi was charged with fraudulently deceiving four elderly men, aged between 65 and 76, to hand over RM2,150 in cash by promising non-existent eKasih assistance.
These offences took place at three different banks between Jan 23 and April 22 this year.
The charges fall under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries penalties of imprisonment between one and 10 years, whipping, and fines upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Nur Aqilah Syaza Ariffin and Nuranisah Ismail Muhammad Husaini handled the prosecution, with Robert S. Gnanarajan representing the accused.
Before magistrate Punitha, Muhammad Halmi was charged with cheating nine individuals, aged 65 to 77, out of RM4,230 in cash under similar false pretences.
These offences occurred at nine different locations between Jan 1 and June 23 this year.
This charge is also framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Hidayu Zakaria prosecuted, while Dayang Nor Emilia Azman Shah and M. Kathan from the National Legal Aid Foundation represented the accused.