MIRI: Having lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a couple had taken the desperate measure of stealing from a supermarket to feed their child.
They were arrested on June 10, and on last Tuesday they were produced in front of Magistrates Leona Dominic Mojiliu and Md Syafique Md Hilmie for sentencing in different courtrooms.
Both, who were unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the charges read out to them during the hearing on Tuesday here.
The wife, Syaidatul Ismar Dron, 31, was sentenced by Magistrate Leona to five days imprisonment with effect from the date of conviction (Tuesday).
In the other courtroom, Magistrate Md Syafique handed Syaidatul’s husband, Sulaiman Abdullah, 23, a two-week jail sentence, to run from the date of arrest (June 10) along with a fine of RM1,000 in default of the imprisonment.
They would be detained at the Miri Central Police Station for swab tests, and would only be sent to Miri Prison if they tested negative for Covid-19.
The offence falls under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine upon conviction.
Syaidatul and Sulaiman were charged with stealing two packs of Crispy chocolate bars, two packs of Milo Nuggets and four packets of Milo on June 10 inside Emart Tudan at 2.15pm.
During the hearing, they had pleaded for a minimum sentence, stating that they had a 10-year-old son－their only child－to care for.
