AYER KEROH: A husband and wife were sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment by the magistrate's court here today after pleading guilty to charges of stealing and being in possession of 54 stolen charity donation boxes since November.
Magistrate Nor Syaliati Mohd Sobri handed down the sentence to Nuruddin Hasbullah Zainal, 33, and his wife, Syaidatul Nor Syahidra Firdaus, 35, after convicting them on five charges.
According to the first and second charges, the couple was found in possession of 21 and 33 charity donation boxes of various types and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation to authorities about how they acquired the items.
The offences were charged under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offenses Act 1955 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a fine of up to RM1,000, or both, upon conviction.
They were also charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code read with Section 29(1) of the Minor Offenses Act 1955 for abetting in the possession of donation boxes from Madrasah Darul Tolabah and Huffaz Melaka, suspected to be stolen property.
Syaidatul faced an additional charge under Section 109 of the Penal Code read with Section 411 of the Penal Code for abetting in keeping stolen property, namely the donation boxes, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The offences were committed in a room at a residence and the boot of a Perodua Bezza at Amber Cove Residence on Dec 4, at 12.10am.
Nuruddin was also charged with stealing a donation box belonging to Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Quran Desa Darul Naim Kasih, Sungai Rambai, from a fruit shop at Lorong Pandan on Nov 11 at 11.30pm. The charge, under Section 380 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine, with subsequent offenses punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Asnini Kamarudin prosecuted the case, while the couple was represented by Muhammad Mawardi Zainudin from the National Legal Aid Foundation.
The court sentenced them to eight months' imprisonment each for the first and second charges, seven months for the third charge, and 12 months each for the fourth and fifth charges, all to run concurrently from the date of their arrest on Dec 4.
Separately, Nuruddin and Syaidatul were charged with self-administration of methamphetamine and tetrahydrocannabinol, as well as jointly possessing 8 grams of cannabis.
The case has been fixed for mention on Feb 5, 2025, pending pathology and chemical reports.