A 43-YEAR-OLD woman pleaded guilty at the Taiping Sessions Court to the offence of mischief by setting fire to a motorcycle in Pokok Assam last Thursday.
Zainatul Rafeda Zainul Abidin, 43, pleaded guilty in front of Judge Nabisha Ibrahim, who then set January 14 for sentencing while awaiting for the facts of the case.
According to the charge sheet, the woman was accused of committing mischief with fire, knowing that it would cause damage to property in the form of a black Honda RSX motorcycle worth RM7,000 belonging to Zainatul Shakira Amira Zaini, 22, on Jalan Masjid, Pokok Assam, at around 3:50 pm on December 26.
The charge was filed under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 14 years and a fine if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Fahmi Kamaluddin prosecuted, while the accused was represented by a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), Ng Wei Jun.
Muhammad Fahmi offered bail of RM20,000 with one surety and ordered the accused not to disturb or contact the victim, who is also the complainant until the case is resolved.
During mitigation, Wei Jun said that his client, who is also a 'goreng pisang and 'apam balik' trader, only earns about RM1,000 a month and supports four children, while the defendant's husband suffered a stroke on one side of his body.
Wei Jun requested that the bail amount be reduced, considering that his client is willing to comply with the additional conditions offered by the prosecution and there is no risk of the accused fleeing.
"This is also the first mistake I have made," said Zainatul Rafeda when the judge gave her a chance to speak during mitigation.
Nabisha then set bail at RM4,000 with one surety along with additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
It was earlier reported that a woman set fire to a motorcycle on Jalan Masjid last Thursday out of anger when the motorcycle was about to be towed.
In the incident, a viral video showed a slight commotion when several men, believed to be vehicle repossessors, attempted to tow the motorcycle. - December 30, 2024
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