A fishmonger was sentenced to seven years’ jail and five strokes of the rotan by the Sessions Court in Kuching today after he pleaded guilty to snatching a woman’s handbag and mobile phone last month.

Mohd Shariman Alwi, 30, who is also the accused in the gang-robbery at Perlis mufti Dr Juanda Jaya's house, pleaded guilty after the charge was read out to him before Judge Timothy Finlayson Joel.

He admitted snatching the handbag and the Nokia mobile phone from Normayati Mohd Rajali, 19, at a bus stop in from of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Petra Jaya, Jalan Semarak in Kuching at 3pm on Sept 9.

The offence under Section 392 of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of 14 years and fine or whipping, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Poh Yih Tin prosecuted, while Mohd Shariman was not represented.

In a separate Sessions Court earlier, Mohd Shariman pleaded not guilty to a charge of gang-robbery at the house of Juanda in Taman Carisa, Petra Jaya two months ago.

He claimed trial after the charge was read out to him before Judge Nixon Kennedy Kumbang.

He was charged with another man still at large with robbing Juanda’s house and carted away jewellery worth RM35,000, cash of RM6,500 and electronic gadgets, including two Samsung mobile phones, a Samsung Galaxy Tab and a power bank, worth RM5,000.

They were alleged to have committed the offence at 4.30am on Aug 16.

The charge under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and whipping if convicted.

The court set Nov 25 for remention.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Nisla Abd Latif appeared for the prosecution, while Mohd Shariman was not represented.

- Bernama