Dropout sent to Henry Gurney School after admitting to robbery

GEORGE TOWN: A 19-year-old school dropout who pleaded guilty to robbing a Canadian national has been ordered to be sent to the Henry Gurney School.

Sessions Court judge Mazdi Abdul Hamid said taking into account that this was Muhamad Imran Yahya’s first offence, his age and the circumstances of the case, he would be sent to the school for three years or until he turns 21, whichever comes first.

“(This is) based on the fact that you pleaded guilty, admitted to the crime and you are young.

“While you have two (pending cases) in another court here, we take this as your first time committing an offence.

Photo: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

“The items stolen have been recovered and there was no loss in this case.

“While we must take the public interest into account, your interests must be considered as well.

“It must be a deterrent but must educate you,” he said in court here Monday (Nov 6) before ordering Muhamad Imran to be sent to the rehabilitation school in Melaka.

Muhamad Imran, who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty before Mazdi earlier in the day.

In mitigation, he told the court that he was the youngest of four siblings and that his parents were not working.

“My older brother is taking care of them.

“I stopped school in Standard Six and have no education.

“I will not do this again,” he said in a shaky voice.

Based on the charge sheet, Muhamad Imran was said to have robbed a woman at 5.20pm on Oct 28 by stealing her backpack from the table of an eatery in Campbell Street.

He was charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code for robbery, which is punishable with imprisonment for a term of up to 14 years, a fine or whipping upon conviction.

In a separate Sessions court, this morning he claimed trial to two similar charges before judge Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim.

He was first charged with robbing a woman at 6pm on Oct 28, around Campbell Street, less than an hour after the earlier charge.

He was charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code, carrying the same punishment.

He was also charged with robbing a woman of RM200 and a bank card at about 7am on Oct 3 in Batu Ferringhi.

According to the facts of the case, the victim fell and sustained injuries when her handbag was snatched.

Muhamad Imran was charged under Section 394 of the Penal Code for causing hurt in the course of a robbery, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine and whipping, upon conviction.