MIRI: A Bekenu thief was yesterday sentenced to 36 months in prison after he pleaded guilty.

Magistrate Amir Shah Amir Hassan said Faisal Yunos, 38, of Kampung Pejuangan, Kelulit in Bekenu deserved a severe sentence.

Faisal admitted that he stole RM400 from his nephew and pleaded guilty to a charge framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years as well as a fine.

Prosecuting Officer Chief Inspector Austin Patrick Angkon submitted that the alleged crime was reported at Bekenu Police Station at 9.40am on Sept 15, 2007.

He said one Sabli Aping, 49, stated that about 9pm the day before, his son Shahril Afifi told him about the theft of his money by his uncle, Faisal.

Shahril had said the money was inside a canvas bag under his bed in Kampung Kelulit in Bekenu.

The police arrested Faisal at about 1pm on November 18, 2007 at Jalan Kampong Jengalas-Menjelin, Bekenu.

He was found in possession of Shahril’s canvas bag.

In his cautioned statement to the police at 2.45pm on December 23, 2007, Faisal admitted that he stole the bag and money.

He said he had spent the money in Bintulu where he was looking for a job.

Austin tendered as exhibits, the police report and a rough sketch plan plus two photographs of the crime scene.