IPOH – An unemployed man was today fined RM3,000 by the magistrates’ court here after being found guilty of humiliating a grocery store staffer by uttering abusive words at and spitting on the victim.
Magistrate Noor Azreen Liana Mohd Darus handed down the sentence to M. Gunalan, 47, from Taman Rasi Jaya after he pleaded guilty to using abusive words against and spitting on Nor Asni Zilzawani Mohd Zahid, who had reminded the accused to comply with rules under the conditional movement control order.
Gunalan was charged with committing the offence at a grocery store in Lahat Baru 2 here at 8.40pm on Monday.
The charge is under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of five years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
The court ordered Gunalan to be jailed for four months should he fail to pay the fine. He paid the amount.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Nur Asmaniza Mohammad asked the court to impose an appropriate penalty on the accused.
During mitigation, Gunalan, represented by lawyer Robert S. Gnanarajan, asked for leniency, saying he is no longer employed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that he regrets his actions. – Bernama, December 4, 2020
