Three years' jail for Brunei man over theft, damaging government property
Deputy Public Prosecutor Atikah Husaini revealed that Muhammad Amirul Mukhriz Abdullah @ Earddey Jose Earfeyan Jose Rizal, 29, along with accomplices, trespassed into the solar farm at Jalan Lorong Tengah, Mukim Seria in the Belait District on several occasions in March and April, with the intent to steal black electric cables belonging to the government.
In one incident in March, Muhammad Amirul, along with Person A (driver of a white car), Person B and Person E, entered Tenaga Suria through a broken fence. Armed with a black bag containing a screwdriver, pliers, a knife cutter, and a hand shovel, they approached a solar panel.
Muhammad Amirul used a cable cutter to sever a black electric cable, causing damage. After removing the cable from the compound, they stripped it and contacted a man of Indian nationality, who purchased it for BND400. The proceeds were split among the group.
Subsequent investigations by the police unearthed that tools found near the solar panels on April 3, matched those described by the complainant, and led to the identification of Muhammad Amirul. He admitted to the theft and trespass, as well as ownership of the tools found at the scene.
In a separate incident on April 9, Muhammad Amirul, together with Persons B, C and E, again trespassed into Tenaga Suria and stole additional electric cables. The group later sold the stolen cables for BND200 to an Indian national residing in Kampong Katimahar. The money was again divided among the conspirators.
Muhammad Amirul faced a total of seven charges, including theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code, mischief under Section 426, and criminal trespass under Section 447, read with Section 34 for common intention.
His offences included both joint and individual acts of theft, property damage, and unlawful entry into government property.
On sentencing, Magistrate Nur Eleana Hairol Arni took into account the defendant's full admissions during police investigations, including his role in cutting and selling the cables, and the repeated nature of the crimes. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
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