By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Jan 23: A 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to three years in Sekolah Tunas Bakti by the Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of a bold house break-in on Jalan Selangan Batu in Dec last year.
Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan handed down the sentence today after reviewing the boy’s character report submitted by the Social Welfare Department.
The teenager pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 457 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. If the offence involves theft, the penalty might be increased to up to 14 years and include a fine.
According to investigations, the incident, which took place at approximately 3am on Dec 10, 2024 at a residence in Jalan Selangan Batu, unfolded when the boy used two paint buckets as a makeshift ladder to climb through an unlocked kitchen window.
Once inside, he stole a laptop, a smartphone, and a work bag containing a phone charger and other tools.
According to the facts of the case, the complainant, a 33-year-old man, woke up to discover several work-related items missing from his living room.
He promptly lodged a police report, leading to the boy’s arrest later that same day at around 11.30am in Kampung Sungai Apong.
During today’s court proceedings, Magistrate Mason Jaro directed the boy’s biological mother to visit him every two months during his time at the reform school.
Additionally, the teenager will remain under the Social Welfare Department’s supervision for one year following the completion of his sentence. — DayakDaily
