IPOH: A 66-year-old former clerk at a law firm has been charged with deceiving a man into paying over RM300,000 for the lease of land owned by the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (PPPNP).
M. Gabriel Youshua, who came to court using a walker, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Magistrate Siti Nora Sharif on Thursday (Aug 29).
He was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
According to the charge sheet, at about 10am on April 14, 2022 at a legal firm in Greentown Square, the accused allegedly deceived one K. Suppan to make payments via two cheques for RM110,417.25 and RM220,834.50 for the lease of land belonging to PPPNP.
The charge sheet also stated that the individual would not have made the payments if he had not been tricked into doing so by the accused.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Aqilah Syaza Ariffin requested bail to be set at RM20,000.
Gabriel’s lawyer K. Nahtan requested a lower bail of RM5,000 because his client could no longer work as he was having difficulty walking.
“He can be considered a disabled person.
“His wife has also divorced him. Bail is set to ensure that the accused appears in court, and my client is not a flight risk,” he added.
Siti Nora set bail at RM5,000 with one surety, and fixed Oct 11 for mention.
