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By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Aug 8: A female cook has been charged in the Magistrate’s court today for allegedly snatching a handbag and stealing a brand-new iPhone 14 Pro Max from a woman at the Kuching Food Festival 2023 earlier this month.
The 50-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which was read before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan.
She could face a prison sentence of up to seven years, a fine, or both if found guilty.
However, Magistrate Mason Jaro allowed the accused to be released on bail with a cash deposit of RM1,500 and a local surety.
The court has set September 18 for the case management hearing.
According to the charge, she allegedly committed the offence at the grounds of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) during the festival at about 9.10pm on August 2.
It is understood that the 42-year-old complainant realised that her smartphone, kept in her handbag, had been stolen at the festival.
She promptly reported the incident to the nearby police station for further action.
Subsequently, the accused was apprehended on the same day of the incident, and the stolen smartphone was found to be in her possession during the inspection.
The prosecution of the case was conducted by Prosecuting Officer Inspector Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang, while the accused was not represented by a lawyer. — DayakDaily
