3 years’ jail for man who robbed senior citizen to cover wife’s maternity costs

A container lorry driver who robbed a senior citizen for money to cover the expenses of his wife who was due to give birth to their second child was sentenced to three years in jail and one stroke of the cane by the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

Judge Emilia Kaswati Mohamad Khalid handed down the sentence on Yap Chin Boon, 30, after he pleaded guilty to the charge, and ordered him to be jailed from the date of his arrest on Sept 6.

She also asked him why he had robbed the senior citizen.

“Just imagine if the person who was robbed was your father,” she said.

To this, Yap said he did it as his wife was about to give birth.

“I did not do it on purpose,” he added. “I have repented. I want to meet my newborn baby. Please give me a chance because I want to set a good example to my children.”

Yap, armed with a knife, had robbed a 68-year-old e-hailing driver named S Marathamuthu of his car, wallet and ATM cards, among others, by the roadside of Jalan Besar Kepong, Sentul at 7.30pm on Sept 5.

His charge, under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to 14 years and a fine or caning.

Yap was represented by counsel Nicholas Cheoh while deputy public prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamad appeared for the prosecution.

Meanwhile, in a separate Sessions Court, a former technician was sentenced to three years’ jail and two strokes of the cane for attempted robbery and intentionally causing injury to the cashier of a convenience store.

Judge Izralizam Sanusi imposed the sentence on Tamilselvam, 24, after he pleaded guilty to the charge, and ordered for him to be jailed from the date of his arrest on March 27.

Tamilselvam admitted to committing the offence at a convenience store in Taman Jinjang Baru, Sentul at 6.41am on March 27.