A GERMAN tourist has been fined RM3,000 by the Magistrates’ Criminal Court in George Town after admitting to assaulting a police officer during an incident earlier this year.
Schlefsky Theresa, 34, entered her guilty plea after the charge was read in English before Magistrate Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi.
The court was told that she had used criminal force by kicking Corporal Nurfarhanah Mohd Johdi in the abdomen with the intention of obstructing the officer from carrying out her lawful duties.
The offence took place at a coffee shop in the North-East district at approximately 6.30pm on 14 January. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Lau Shavin, while the accused was represented by counsel K Sagana.
In mitigation, the defence highlighted the accused’s mental health condition, stating that she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia since the age of 16 and required regular medication.
Her lawyer told the court that she had been travelling alone in Malaysia and was not employed at the time of the incident.
“The behaviour of the accused on the day of the incident was the result of not taking medication consistently. After her condition stabilised, she expressed deep remorse and apologised to the victim and the authorities.
“The accused also said she had no intention of breaking the law in this country. Her father and sister are present in court today and apologise for the offence committed by their family member,” counsel said.
The defence urged the court to impose a fine in light of her mental health circumstances, while the prosecution called for an appropriate sentence to serve as a deterrent against similar offences.
The court imposed a fine of RM3,000, with a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment if unpaid. The accused subsequently settled the fine. - March 17, 2026