KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here discharged and released a former lorry driver of a mischief charge related to the torching of 34 motorcycles in the parking lot of the Kampung Muhibbah People's Housing Project (PPR), in Bukit Jalil two years ago.
Judge Norina Zainol Abidin reached the verdict on Thursday (Feb 22) after concluding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Mohd Saiful Adey Mohd Noor, 36, at the end of the prosecution's case.
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"After hearing the testimony of prosecution witnesses and examining the arguments by the defense and prosecution, the court found that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case.
"Therefore, the accused is discharged and released without being called to enter a defence," she said.
Mohd Saiful Adey, who sat in the dock handcuffed, looked happy when the verdict was announced.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ngoh Jess Lynn appeared for the prosecution, while Mohd Saiful Adey was represented by lawyer M. Soosai Raj.
The trial commenced on Oct 5 last year, with five prosecution witnesses called to testify.
On Sept 30, 2022, Mohd Saiful Adey pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing mischief by using petrol to torch 34 motorcycles in the parking lot of Block G, of the Kampung Muhibbah PPR flats at 2.21am on July 2022.
He was charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment and a fine upon conviction. - Bernama
