Former Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Threatening High Court Judge
PETALING JAYA: A former driver pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here today to a charge of criminal intimidation involving his former employer, who is also a High Court judge.
The accused, Mohd. Fareez Mohd. Zin, 39, entered the plea before Magistrate Farah Nabihah Muhamad Dan after the charge was read in court.
According to the charge, the accused allegedly threatened Gan Techiong with the intention of causing fear at the judge’s courtroom at approximately 1.30pm on May 8.
The charge was framed under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both upon conviction.
For threats involving death or grievous bodily harm, the same provision allows for a prison sentence of up to seven years, a fine or both.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Amritpreet Kaur Randhawa objected to any bail application on grounds that the offence was non-bailable.
However, defence counsel Karen Kaur appealed for lower bail, arguing that her client posed no flight risk and would attend all court proceedings.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Farah Nabihah Muhamad Dan rejected the bail application, taking into account the nature of the charge and the prosecution’s objection.
“Taking into consideration the nature of the offence, the court rejects the bail application at this stage.
“However, the application may be submitted again before the original magistrate who will hear the case,” she said.
In a separate proceeding on the same day, Mohd. Fareez Mohd. Zin also pleaded not guilty to a charge of consuming amphetamine and methamphetamine.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division restroom at Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Sentul at around 11.10pm on May 12.
The charge was filed under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, along with mandatory supervision of at least two years upon conviction.
The court later allowed bail of RM2,000 with one surety for the drug-related case.
Both cases have been fixed for mention again on August 11.
-wilayah.com.my
