KOTA KINABALU: An unemployed man was sentenced to nine months in prison and fined RM11,300 by the Tawau Magistrate’s Court for three offences related to a crash in December 2024.
Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum handed down the sentence to Mohd Shafiezan Hassan, 26, on Thursday (Feb 13) after he pleaded guilty to all charges read simultaneously by the court interpreter.
The court also disqualified him from obtaining a driving licence for two years, effective from the date of conviction.
According to the charge sheets, Mohd Shafiezan was found driving under the influence of alcohol above the legal limit.
He also lacked a valid driving licence and insurance policy, which led to a crash into the Self-Service Terminal (SST) room of RHB Bank and five parked vehicles.
The incident occurred at Jalan Mahkamah Tawau at around 4.15am on Dec 29, 2024.
He was charged under Section 45A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for drink driving, Section 26(1) for driving without a licence, and Section 90(1) for operating a vehicle without insurance.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Asst Supt Joan Lee urged the court to impose a severe sentence as a deterrent to the accused and the public.
The day before, Magistrate Don Stiwin had issued a warrant of arrest after Mohd Shafiezan failed to appear in court.
He was later apprehended at his home by a team from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department at around 2.30pm.
