JELEBU: The man who broke into a house here on Monday before falling asleep in the living room after getting drunk pleaded not guilty at the Jelebu Court here today.
B.Raman, 41 from Bahau pleaded not guilty after he was charged with trespassing the victim's house. He claimed trial after the charge was read to him by an interpreter in front of Magistrate Norshazwani Ishak.
According to the charge sheet, Raman broke into a house in Taman Tanjung Bunga at 6.30am on Jan 23 with the intent to commit an act against the law.
He was was charged under Section 448 of the Penal Code and faces up to three years in jail or a fine of up to RM5,000 or both if he is convicted of the offence.
The court later granted RM16,000 bail with two family members as guarantors. Raman was also ordered to report himself to the nearest police station once a month pending trial.
The court set Feb 22 for re-mention of the case.
The prosecution was handled by Ahmad Loqman Hakim Ahmad Khairie while Raman was unrepresented.
It was previously reported that a man had entered into the house through an unlocked back door.
After taking several items, he stumbled upon an alcoholic drink in the house and finished drinking it. He was later found passed out in the living room of the house by its occupants.
Jempol district police chief Superintendent Hoo Chang Hook was quoted as saying that the house owner was horrified to find the sleeping thief.
Checks showed the suspect has multiple criminal records, including 15 drug-related and six criminal offences.
Hoo added that the house owner was staying with his wife and four children.