An unemployed man, desperate to get some money for the Aidilfitri celebration, was sentenced to seven days’ jail and fined RM2,500, in default three days’ jail by a magistrate’s court in Kuala Lumpur today for stealing a sack of electric wire from a construction site.

Deputy Registrar Nik Mohd Fadli Nik Azlan, sitting as a magistrate, handed down the sentence on Abdul Rahim Rohani, 30, who pleaded guilty to the charge.

Abdul Rahim, who was unrepresented, was ordered to serve the jail sentence from today. He also failed to pay the fine.

He was charged with stealing the electric wire, worth RM2,000, belonging to a construction company at the Cititel Hotel project site at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman at 8am on June 24.

The charge, under Section 380 of the Penal Code, provides an imprisonment for up to 10 years, or a fine, upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer Supt Nom Phot Prakdit prosecuted.

- Bernama