GEORGE TOWN: An unemployed man pleaded guilty today to obstructing a policeman from carrying out his duties during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
S. Thiaagu, 35, admitted committing the offence during a police road block at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah here about 1am last Saturday.
He also admitted to causing damage through an act of mischief, by damaging a police baton used during the same road block.
The offences were under Section 186 and Section 427 of the Penal Code respectively. He faces up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to RM10,000 or both under Section 186 and up to a year's jail or fine or both under Section 427.
Thiaagu, however, claimed trial to a third charge of driving dangerously and ramming into the road block, causing danger to the policemen on duty as well as the surrounding public.
The charge, under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act, carries a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of RM15,000, if convicted.
Thiaagu was represented by Cheah Eng Soon while Deputy Public Prosecutor Nabila Huda Muhammad Nazim prosecuted.
George Town magistrate's court senior assistant registrar Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi, who presided over the case, set bail at RM10,000 and RM5,000 for the offences under the Penal Code and fixed May 12 for sentencing.
Nur Fadrina also set bail at RM12,000 for the offence under the Road Transport Act and fixed the same date for mention.
It was reported that in the March 21 incident, police had stopped a Proton Wira Aeroback for checks at a road block at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.
However, as police were checking the driver's MyKad and another male passenger’s details, the accused allegedly accelerated narrowing missing those manning the road block.