Pic by Abdul Rahemang Taiming
TAWAU: A man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for attempting to rob a woman in the car park behind a shop in Jalan Pelabuhan here last Sunday.
Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin imposed the sentence on Fazirin Japar, 38, after he pleaded guilty and convicted under Section 393 of the Penal Code.
According to the charge, he attempted to rob a 32-year-old woman at around 10am on July 21.
The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years and those convicted may also be fined.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Kadisun prosecuted, while Fazirin was unrepresented.
The case facts said the accused approached the victim at about 10am as she was about to enter her car. The man claimed that the woman's car tyre was flat.
The accused then proceeded to strangle the woman and attempted to steal her valuables but was unsuccessful when the incident was noticed by passers-by.
Some witnesses recorded the incident on their mobile phones, which subsequently went viral on Facebook and WhatsApp.
The accused, who has two criminal records involving house break-ins and drug offence, was arrested at 5.40pm the day after the incident.
Fazirin also faces separate charges at the Sessions Court today under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Judge Rosli Ahmad has set Aug 26 for mention, pending the results of a chemical analysis report.