THE Kangar magistrates’ court today sentenced a security guard to a total of 30 months in jail for committing mischief by using firecrackers and possession of explosives.

Magistrate Ana Rozana Mohd Nor handed down the sentence on Hapizal Saad, 42, who pleaded guilty to both charges.

She sentenced Hapizal to 18 months in jail for committing mischief and 12 months in jail for possession of explosives, to be served concurrently from the date of his arrest, which was last August 16. 

On the first count, Hapizal was charged with setting off homemade firecrackers and damaging a tent belonging to SK Padang Besar Utara, amounting to RM50 in damages, at 4.50am last August 16.

He was charged under section 427 of the penal code, which is punishable by not more than five years in prison, a fine or both. 

On the second count, he was charged under section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 with possession of explosives, namely 100 monster ball firecrackers and a box of Thunder Clap firecrackers at a house in Padang Besar at 5.30pm on the same day.

Earlier in proceedings, the magistrate sentenced Hapizal to four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to self-administering amphetamine and methamphetamine at the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, Padang Besar district police headquarters at 5.15pm on June 30. 

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Atikah Ab Rashid prosecuted, while the accused was represented by lawyer Hasnor Arysha Hamdan from the National Legal Aid Foundation. – Bernama, August 22, 2023.