KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of the Perodua Bezza who was involved in a high-speed chase with 28 police mobile patrol vehicles was sentenced to a month in jail for reckless driving and obstructing a public servant.
Magistrate Shahril Anuar Ahmad Mustapha meted out the sentence against B. Anbarasan after he pleaded guilty to the offence today.
The court also imposed a RM10,000 fine against the 27-year-old lorry driver.
According to the charge sheet, Anbarasan was allegedly driving a Perodua Bezza recklessly, posing a danger to himself and other road users near Jalan Utara at 1.30am on Tuesday.
He was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a maximum of five years in jail and RM15,000 fine upon conviction.
The accused was also charged with obstructing corporal Mohd Faizal Sulong from carrying out his duties at the same place and time under Section 186 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum of two years imprisonment or a RM10,000 fine or both.
The accused who was unrepresented pleaded for a minimum sentence as he is a sole breadwinner and only earns about RM1,200 monthly.
"I am a lorry driver and need to support my one-year-old son," he said.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Nurul Sofea Jaysal, however, pressed for a deterrent sentence as the case involved a public interest.
"Obstructing a police officer is a very serious crime and reckless driving can pose a threat to the public," she said.
Meanwhile, at the Sessions Court, Anbarasan and his wife M. Rishlani, 21, pleaded not guilty to possessing a knife in a public space before judge Faiz Dziyauddin.
The couple were charged under Section 6(1) of the Explosive Substances and Dangerous Weapons Act 1958 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment ranging from five to ten years and may also include caning if found guilty.
DPP Ahmad Zuhaini Mahamad Amin asked the court to impose RM10,000 bail against each accused.
However, lawyer Kailash Sharma who appeared for Rishlani pleaded for minimum bail.
The court set RM5,000 bail for each of the accused and fixed Jan 16 for mention.
In a viral video of the incident, approximately 28 police patrol vehicles from several police district headquarters, including 18 from Petaling Jaya, were involved in a hot pursuit of the Perodua Bezza to Cyberjaya.
During the process of apprehending the suspects, two men managed to jump out of the vehicle and escape, while the other man and woman were successfully detained.
It is understood that before the event unfolded, three men and a woman were seen driving the car suspiciously before police on patrol attempted to stop them.
The police have advised the public to comply with the law and refrain from engaging in criminal activities.