SEREMBAN: Three men have been fined RM4,000 each, in default four months' jail, after pleading guilty to a charge of rioting with a dangerous weapon in an incident at a KTV lounge near here last month.
Chan Kong Keong, 50, Tai Soon Khong, 42, and Cho Chik Phong, 20, did not contest the charge after it was read to them before Magistrate Nurul Farha Sulaiman on Monday (Dec 1).
They were charged with four others still at large with committing the offence at the entertainment centre in Taman AST near here at 5.40am on Nov 23.
The accused were charged with being in possession of a knife and having the common intention to cause injury to a 40-year-old employee of the centre.
ALSO READ: Two held over fatal brawl at entertainment centre
The victim succumbed to his injuries at Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar while receiving treatment.
The three were charged under Section 148 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Lawyer Lim Kim Fook, who appeared for Chan, said the three accused were not involved in the killing of the employee.
"They were only involved in rioting and have cooperated with the police in investigations," he said.
Lim added that his client, a mechanic who is married and has two children, was remorseful for what happened.
"He has been in police remand for six days, and that alone is punishment enough for the offence.
"He has also saved the court's time by pleading guilty," he added.
ALSO READ: Entertainment outlet fight: Victim died of stab wound to the chest, say cops
Royston Tan, who represented Cho, said his client has also been in remand since his arrest.
"He presented himself at the district police station to assist in the probe.
"I hope the court will impose a minimum fine as he has to provide for his two younger siblings," he said.
Lawyer Raj Chandran from the Legal Aid Department, who appeared for Tai, also appealed for leniency.
"He only works part-time and doesn't have a fixed income.
"He has also learnt his lesson from being in remand for six days," he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Fidha Misjedi urged the court to impose a punishment commensurate with the crime.
"They had a weapon and committed a serious offence which caused death," she said.
According to the facts of the case, a CCTV recording at the premises showed that one of the seven had stabbed the victim, resulting in his death.
