Duo plead not guilty to robbing elderly couple in Ipoh

IPOH: Two men have claimed trial to a charge of robbing an elderly couple at their house in Bercham.

M. Hari Chandran, 41, and A.D Lawrence, 39, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them in Tamil before Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad at the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (June 7).

According to the charge sheet, the duo allegedly committed the offence at Chan Liew Chan’s house at Regat Tasek Timur 20, Taman Ria around 3am on May 24.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Nazreen Zabarudin requested no bail due to the seriousness of the case.

“Based on the facts of the case, the accused had robbed the house three times and had harmed the elderly couple.

“However, if the court decides to set bail, we hope that it will come with some terms such as that the accused should not disturb the victims and the witness. They should also report themselves at the nearest police station,” he said.

Hari Chandran, who was not represented, asked for a lower bail as he is currently taking care of his sick sister.

“I am also getting married soon, and will be taking care of my wife’s mother,” he said.

Lawrence, who was not represented as well, also requested lower bail.

“I am the sole breadwinner for my family and I have a child who is still in school,” he said.

Judge Ainul set the bail at RM15,000 with a surety for each accused and they also need to report themselves twice a month at the nearest police station.

“Both accused are not allowed to disturb the victim and must report themselves every 1st and 15th of every month at the nearest police station. If they fail, they can be remanded,” she said.

She also fixed July 7 for case mention.

Separately, a 33-year-old man pleaded not guilty to keeping a stolen handphone.

M. Shashipal Singh claimed trial after the charges were read to him before Judge Azizah Ahmad.

According to the charge sheet, Shashipal had in his possession a blue-coloured handphone belonging to Chan at a flat house in Lengkok Bercham Timur at 3.45pm on June 4.

Judge Azizah set bail at RM4,000 with one surety and Shashipal must report himself at the nearest police station once a month.

She fixed July 7 for case mention.

DPP Haiqal Asyraf Suhaimi prosecuted.