JELEBU: A 41-year-old man has claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court here to a charge that he broke into a house but passed out before he could escape with his loot.
Odd-job worker Raman Balakrishnan pleaded not guilty to house trespass under the Penal Code before magistrate Norshazwani Ishak.
He was accused of committing the offence at a house belonging to one Sin Kong Men in Taman Tanjung, Bahau, around 6.30am on Jan 23.
If convicted, Raman faces a jail term of up to three years, a maximum RM5,000 fine, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Loqman Hakim Ahmad Khairie then told the court that the prosecution was not offering the accused bail.
He said the accused was allegedly involved in many other criminal and narcotics cases and had been convicted.
“The accused is also a flight risk,” he said.
Raman, who was unrepresented, asked for bail, saying he had to look after his mother.
“I have an older sister and brother, but they live elsewhere.
“I hope the court can grant me bail as I need to take my mother to her hospital appointments,” he said.
Raman also asked for a low bail, claiming he only earned about RM1,000 a month.
Magistrate Norshazwani then set bail at RM16,000 with two sureties.
She also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station on the 1st of every month.
The case will be mentioned again at the Bahau Magistrate’s Court on Feb 22.
Police said Raman was intoxicated and was believed to have consumed alcohol after breaking into the house.
He was discovered sleeping by the 65-year-old houseowner, who awoke around 6.30am to find him on the floor.
The thief, who had to be shaken awake by policemen, was later arrested.
A urine test carried out later also came back positive for methamphetamine use.
The suspect was believed to have entered the single-storey home through its unlocked back door.