BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Two locals and a permanent resident were sentenced to prison and whipping on Wednesday (April 9) after pleading guilty to a series of cable thefts and mischief in Belait District. Two other defendants denied the charges.
Muhammad Najidi Nasrullah (D1) was sentenced to eight years and eight months’ imprisonment with 10 strokes of the cane for nine theft and mischief charges involving copper and fibre-optic cables, causing significant disruption and financial losses.
Muhammad Helmi Muhammad Asmial Safi (D3) received three years and four months’ imprisonment with five strokes, while Mohd Nurazizan Putra (D5) was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment.
Muhammad Noorazri Hibatullah (D2) and Hillery Roy Anak Taip (D4) claimed trial and are set to stand trial later.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Firdaus Mohammad revealed that on January 13, D1, D3 and accomplices targeted a manhole near an electric substation at Jalan Sungai Duhon.
They stole 50 pairs of copper cables, which were later transported to D1’s home for copper extraction.
They were arrested when security intervened. The theft caused a loss of BND255.72 to Unified National Networks (UNN).
In November 2024, D1, D5 and others entered a Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) building, stole electrical cables and sold them to a scrapyard.
Another theft occurred between November and December 2024, with losses estimated at BND50,000.
On January 8, D1 and others attempted to steal 230 metres of fibre-optic cables at Rasau By-Pass, but were confronted by security and abandoned the stolen cables.
They also committed thefts at Tapak Perindustrian in November 2024.
Judge Harnita Zelda Skinner considered the severity of the crimes, emphasising their premeditated nature and impact on telecommunication services.
D1 received the longest sentence due to his extensive involvement.
All three defendants are to serve their sentences from January 13. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
