BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): A man received six months’ jail for committing mischief by damaging his mother’s property out of frustration due to his father’s recent passing.
However, 35-year-old Muhammad Hairul Sumardi bin General said his aggression was sparked by finding out that a woman he had developed an interest in was already in a relationship.
Prosecutor Nur Zahidah Farhanah binti Abdul Aziz said the defendant first threw a fit at the family home in RPN Kampong Bukit Beruang on July 21.
Out of frustration, he went to the living room and tossed his mother’s property around, smashing them in the process.
The defendant also broke items in the kitchen and the garage before heading to his bedroom to calm down.
The prosecution said at 1pm on July 30, the defendant threw a cup against the floor outside his bedroom, which alarmed his 59-year-old mother, who went to check on her son.
The defendant then asked for a cigarette, to which she said she did not have.
The defendant went to the kitchen and became angry, leading him to throwing and breaking things.
Frightened by his outbursts, the defendant’s mother called the police and had him arrested.
Senior Magistrate Hajah Ervy Sufitriana binti Haji Abdul Rahman heard that the defendant has a previous conviction, involving similar actions at home in 2020.
The defendant asked for leniency citing that his unstable emotion due to his father’s passing.
The court also heard that the defendant was fresh out of Al-Islah Rehabilitation Centre.
Meanwhile, damages to his mother’s property amounted to BND300, to which the court said, “Undoubtedly, his mother has to bear the burden and inconvenience to replace the items”, which warranted a deterrent sentence.
