Two Indonesian workers jailed eight years, caned seven strokes for robbing elderly employer

BATU PAHAT: Two Indonesian workers were jailed eight years and ordered to receive seven strokes of the rotan each after admitting to robbing their elderly employer of RM30,000 in cash and jewellery at her home four months ago.

Sangkot Ibrahim, 32, and Asgi Yusandi, 25, pleaded guilty to joint robbery before Sessions Court judge Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh.

They were sentenced under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery, which provides for up to 20 years' imprisonment and whipping.

The court heard that the pair robbed the 64-year-old woman at her home in Parit Bilal, Mukim 5, at 9.30am on May 8.

The victim had hired the two men, whom she knew, to carry out house repairs.

On the day of the robbery, Sangkot asked to borrow the victim's mobile phone before Asgi suddenly grabbed her by the neck and held a pair of scissors to her throat.

Sangkot then tied her hands and legs and taped her mouth shut before taking the gold ring and bracelet she was wearing.

The pair then entered the bedroom and stole a handbag containing RM30,000 in cash, along with other jewellery including four chains and bracelets, earrings, an anklet, and a ring.

They fled after the robbery, but the victim managed to free herself and lodge a police report.

Police arrested both men at a construction site and seized pawnshop receipts linked to the investigation.

Deputy public prosecutor Firdaus Ruslan prosecuted, while both accused were unrepresented.

The judge imposed the sentences after considering the accused's guilty pleas, mitigation and the prosecution's arguments.