Struggling Father Of Two Jailed One Month For Stealing RM113 Worth Of Essentials From Supermarket
Similar cases of individuals committing petty theft in supermarkets were reported throughout 2025.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
A 29-year-old unemployed man has been sentenced to one month in prison by the Kuala Terengganu Magistrates’ Court for stealing daily necessities worth RM113.70 from a supermarket earlier this month.
The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Iffah Nabihah Mohd Ishak after the accused pleaded guilty to the charge on Monday (5 January).
Theft Committed At Supermarket
According to the charge, the father of two committed the offence at around 9.30pm on 1 January at a supermarket in Kuala Terengganu that was used for storing property, as reported by Sinar Harian.
He was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of up to 10 years and a possible fine. Repeat offenders may face harsher punishment, including whipping.
Among the items stolen were personal care and hygiene products, including one unit of Carrie Junior Hair and Body Wash, two units of Selsun 2-in-1 Shampoo, one unit of Lifebuoy Body Wash, and a Byford-brand singlet.
Accused Cited Financial Hardship
In mitigation, the defence told the court that the accused had been struggling financially after losing his job and had no stable source of income.
The lawyer added that his client is married with two young children aged four years and three months, and that the stolen items were intended for personal and family use rather than commercial purposes.
The court was also informed that the accused suffers from high blood pressure, has no prior criminal record, and that this was his first offence.
Taking these factors into account, the court ordered the jail sentence to take effect from the date of his arrest on 2 January.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ely Nazihah Ahmad Yunus, while the accused was represented by legal aid lawyer Ummi Sharmimi Harun from the National Legal Aid Foundation (Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan).
Similar cases of petty theft that ended up in prison time and hefty fines
This was not the first time an individual down on his or her luck had been arrested for petty crime.
In April 2025, a 38-year-old unemployed woman was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing 30 items including bread, eggs, soy milk, tissues and personal care products worth RM374.69 from a supermarket in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Her lawyer said financial stress and family responsibilities were factors in the offence.
A Sinar Harian report dated 5 June 2025 said a 32-year-old housewife in Seremban was fined RM2,000 after pleading guilty to stealing daily essentials from a supermarket. She attempted to leave without paying for goods valued at RM18.45.
On 14 July 2025, police arrested a teenager suspected of stealing two packets of black pepper sauce and two packets of mayonnaise from a local supermarket in Negeri Sembilan. The loss was estimated at around RM41, and police classified it as a theft under Section 380 of the Penal Code. The teen’s parents even tried to stop security from detaining him, leading to a scuffle before his arrest.
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.
