Tree cutter gets six years jail, whipping for robbing water company worker

A tree cutter was sentenced to six years jail and a stroke of the cane by the Ampang Sessions Court here today after being found guilty of robbing a Myanmar national, who was carrying out water pipe maintenance works.

Judge Azrul Darus meted out the sentence on 31-year-old M. Robin Noel, who was unrepresented, after he failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution's case.

However, Azrul allowed a stay of the jail sentence pending Robin Noel's appeal to the High Court but maintained a RM6,000 bail as the man was now being treated at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for chronic pancreatic disease.

Robin Noel was charged along with two others with committing gang robbery on Mohamad Idris Mohamad Roshid, 35, at Jalan 2/2, Pandan Jaya here at 8am on March 30 last year.

The charge, under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and is liable to whipping, if found guilty.

Based on the facts of the case, Robin Noel and his two accomplices robbed the water company worker while the victim was carrying out his duty and took away two mobile phones and RM60 in cash, all of which amounted to RM350 in losses.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie asked for the court to impose a heavier sentence on Robin Noel due to the seriousness of the offence.

-- BERNAMA