JOHOR BARU: An unemployed man has been sentenced to five years’ jail and fined RM6,000 here after pleading guilty to setting fire to a Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) tow truck.
The accused Wan Muhammad Nasrul W Ahmad, 31, told the Sessions Court that he let his emotions get the better of him due to financial pressures and having just started to look for a job.
“It is true that I set it on fire because I was angry after my car was towed, and I had requested a reduction of the RM500 compound to RM250.
“Even if it was RM200, I still did not have the money to pay.
“I come from a poor background and have many commitments, with debts for my car, motorcycle and house. I am not married yet and had just begun looking for a job,” he told the court on Wednesday (Aug 20).
He said his car was towed the night before the incident, and he was told to file an appeal.
He added that he had to meet the mayor, but was told that he was not available.
“I had waited since that night, as I only wanted my car back and that was why I was so angry and I hope the judge can reduce my sentence,” he pleaded for leniency before sentencing.
Sessions judge Thalha Bachok @ Embok Mok also heard Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Fatimah Mamu’s submission, who sought a deterrent sentence as the accused’s actions amounted to a serious offence.
She said that although the accused claimed he was angry and could not afford to pay, setting fire to a tow truck in a public area endangered not only the property but also the public, including MBJB staff at the vehicle storage depot.
“As stated by the accused, MBJB had already exercised discretion by reducing the compound, yet he still committed this serious crime.
“The prosecution urges the court to consider public interest over the accused’s personal circumstances,” she said.
The court then sentenced Wan Muhammad Nasrul to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of RM6,000, with an additional six months’ jail if he fails to pay the fine.
Earlier, he was brought back to court for sentencing after proceedings were postponed on Tuesday to allow CCTV footage of the incident to be played in court.
He pleaded guilty to committing mischief by using petrol with the intent to destroy by setting fire to the MBJB tow truck, resulting in losses of RM24,000, on Tuesday (Aug 19).
The offence, committed at the MBJB vehicle storage depot at Lot 1, Johor Baru Waterfront, at 11.07am on Aug 15, was charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years and a fine.
The accused, who was unrepresented, maintained his guilty plea after the charge was read to him again.
According to the facts of the case, an MBJB enforcement officer, who was at the depot counter, heard an explosion before rushing out to see the tow truck on fire at 11.07am last Friday.
CCTV footage showed the accused pouring petrol and setting fire to the rear of the tow truck before a police report was lodged.
Police later arrested the accused at the scene and seized a grey aluminium container and a lighter.
