BALIK PULAU: A Frenchman was sentenced by the magistrate's court here today to six days' jail and fined RM10,080 for verbally abusing a policeman and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Magistrate Chia Huey Ting handed down the sentence after waiter Anthony Gilbert Georges Cazals, 29, pleaded guilty to both offences when the charges were read to him in English.
Chia also ordered Zazals' driving licence to be suspended for two years.
For the first charge, Chia fined Cazals RM80, in default three days' jail, after he admitted to intentionally disturbing the peace by uttering disrespectful and insulting words towards Corporal Ikhwanshah Sahar in Jalan Persiaran Bayan Indah here about 2.30am on Sunday.
The charge was framed under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, punishable under the same section.
The offence carries maximum fine of RM100.
For the second charge, Chia sentenced Cazals to six days' jail and fined him RM10,000, in default four months' jail, after he admitted to driving a red Honda CR-Z Hybrid CVT, with the registration number VEN4144, with a breath alcohol content of 257mg/100ml, which is 207mg/100ml exceeding the limit set by law at the same place, time and day.
The charge was framed under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, punishable under the same act.
The offence carries a sentence of a maximum two years' imprisonment and fine of between RM10,000 and RM30,000.
Cazals' counsel, S. Vikneshwaran, pleaded for a minimal sentence, saying that his client regretted his actions and was remorseful.
"My client promises not to repeat the same mistake again. Also, having been in the lock-up since his arrest on Nov 3 has taught him a valuable lesson," he added.
Vikneshwaran said Cazals was also planning to return to his home country soon.
He also told the court that Cazals earned between RM2,000 and RM2,500 and had to fend for his parents.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor R. Lushani pressed for a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson.
Vikneshwaran said his client would be released tomorrow and had paid the fine.
It was reported that a Frenchman was detained for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and verbally abusing policemen during a traffic stop.
When police conducted the roadblock, they signalled the driver of a Honda CRZ to stop for checks.
During the process, the 29-year-old man became aggressive, verbally abusing the policemen and pushing one of them.
The man was taken to the Bayan Lepas police station, where a breathalyser test confirmed he was driving under the influence.