Finnish backpacker jailed three months for stealing Samsung Galaxy Tablet

KOTA KINABALU: A Finnish backpacker who stole a Samsung Galaxy Tablet from fellow tourist was jailed for three months.

Veijo Ilmari Nurmi (pic), 28, was also fined RM500 after he admitted to the offence, which he described as a ‘stupid’ act to Magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus Wednesday.

She also ordered Veijo to be referred to the Immigration Department for further action after completing his sentence.

Veijo was arrested after stealing the tablet belonging to Jahmar Fitzroy Taylor, 24, at the Borneo Global Backpacker Hostel in Kota Kinabalu at about 3.20am on July 30.

In his mitigation, Veijo expressed his apology to the Malaysian government and said that his actions were done out of his ‘stupidity’.

He also asks for a short-term imprisonment, as he wanted to return to Finland to continue his studies.

Earlier, Veijo was also charged for keeping a stolen item under Section 411 of the Penal Code, which provides imprisonment of up to five years, or with fine, or both upon conviction.

Veijo had befriended Jahmar while sharing a dormitory with six other tourists at the backpackers’ lodge.

Taylor had told reporters that he (Veijo) had become very friendly and shared stories of their travels and even shared his pizza.

He was shocked when the CCTV camera footage showed that his friend had taken the tablet.

Veijo had checked out and stayed at another backpackers’ lodge following the incident.

“I’m just happy to get my tablet back as all my photos taken during my time in Malaysia and other countries are inside,” Taylor said.