A taxi driver was today fined RM2,000, in default two months' jail, by the Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur today for extorting money from school students.

Magistrate Mahyudin Mohamad Som meted out the fine on V Ramesh, 34, who pleaded guilty to the charge.

Ramesh, 34, was charged with extorting money from two female students, aged 13 and 14, by the road side near KL Festival Danau Kota, Setapak, at 8pm last Oct 27.

The charge, under Section 384 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for up to 10 years, or with fine, or with whipping, or with any two of the punishments, upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, the two students had boarded the taxi to return home from school. Upon arriving at their destination, the taxi stopped and when one of them opened the door, it hit a passing motorcycle.

Following the incident, Ramesh ordered the girl to close the door again and drove to a dark spot where he demanded the two girls to surrender all their money to pay for the graze mark on the taxi door, otherwise they would be hurt.

In mitigation, Ramesh, represented by lawyer Nurul Fatihah Abdul Ghani, said he was the sole breadwinner of his family and promised not to repeat the mistake.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Farah Adilah Noordin prosecuted.

- Bernama