SIBU: The Sessions Court here has sentenced a vault officer, Lorenzo Ayum Ghani, 25, from Permai Jaya, to 18 months in prison for committing criminal breach of trust (CBT).
Sessions Court judge Marutin Pagan also ordered Lorenzo to receive two strokes of the cane.
The charge against the accused stated that he had fraudulently committed CBT of RM60,000, which was entrusted to him by his company but used for his own benefit.
The incident occurred at the premises of Safeguard Secure Solution Sdn Bhd on Nov 4 last year, around 8.40am. At that time, he was employed as a guard responsible for the vault and the company’s customers’ assets.
The offence falls under Section 408 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for not less than one year and not exceeding 14 years, along with whipping and fines upon conviction.
According to the case details, on Jan 6, 2023, the cashier at Safeguards Secure Solution Sdn Bhd in Lorong Laichee reported the disappearance of money from the vault belonging to CIMB Bank Sibu.
Upon a double recount, two senior cashiers discovered a shortfall of RM60,000 from the actual amount of RM236,100.
The company conducted an internal investigation and reviewed CCTV footage from the vault on Jan 6, 2023. The investigation revealed suspicious activity on Nov 4, 2022, during the morning shift, linked to the accused.
Following the discovery of the missing funds, the accused did not report to work from Jan 8, 2023. Attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, leading to a police report.
The investigation disclosed that the accused had been employed by the company since Aug 8, 2022, with responsibilities as a vault officer, which included safeguarding and managing the company’s customers’ funds.
CCTV footage from Nov 4, 2022, around 8.40am, captured the accused engaging in suspicious behaviour, including concealing banknotes in his clothing. The senior cashier confirmed the loss of RM60,000 following the recount.
During the investigation, the accused admitted to using the money for vehicle servicing, daily expenses, and entertainment.
Lorenzo, who did not have legal representation, pleaded for leniency during the sentencing.
