KUALA LUMPUR: A man who stole infant milk formula for his two toddlers was today sentenced to three days' jail and fined RM1,200 by the magistrate's court here today.
Magistrate Mahyudin Mohamad Som also sentenced T. Gopal, 34, to two months' jail if he fails to pay the fine.
Gopal, who paid the fine, confessed to stealing four packets of Enfalac milk and two tins of Frisocal Gold, amounting to RM502.60 from 99 Speedmart, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah here at 8.05pm on Jan 6.
The court ordered Gopal to serve his sentence from the date he was arrested on Jan 6.
He was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years or a fine, and for a subsequent sentence, to be punished with jail, or a fine, or caning.
Counsel P. Muniswer, who represented Gopal, urged the court to impose a minimum sentence, as he had committed the offence out of desperation.
"He stole the formula milk for his children, who are four and two years old.
“It is his first offence, and his wife will be giving birth to their third child in two weeks' time," he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Farah Adilah Noordin urged for a suitable sentence to be imposed as a deterrent to the accused. -- Bernama