BATU PAHAT: A father of three was sentenced to three months in jail by the Magistrate's Court for stealing a bunch of bananas from a farm in Rengit last Saturday.
Magistrate Nurasidah A. Rahman made the judgment after Muhammad Fadil Ismail, 35, entered his guilty plea.
He was accused of stealing a bunch of bananas belonging to a man, 56, in Parit Jaya, Kampung Sungai Bagan Laut, Rengit, at 9.45 am on Jan 4.
The charge carries a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
According to the facts of the case, the complainant discovered that "rastali" bananas grown on his farm had been frequently stolen.
The fed-up owner installed a closed-circuit television camera to identify the culprit.
The footage captured the accused cutting down a banana tree and fleeing with the fruit.
The owner lodged a report on Jan 4, leading to the accused's arrest on the same day.
Police investigations revealed that the accused, a lorry attendant, was responsible for the banana thefts.
The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Farah Wahidah Mohd Sharip and prosecuting officer Inspector Ling Shao Shen, while the accused was represented by Kamarularifin Nordin from the National Legal Aid Foundation.