14 months in jail for petty theft

JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta district court yesterday sentenced two men to a combined 14 months in prison for robbery.

Judge Rizal sentenced Sumadi al Betet to eight months in prison, despite prosecutor Sumirah's request that he be given 10 months in prison for stealing a pair of shoes, 2 pair of slacks, 3 shirts, one T-shirt and one sarong. The items had a combined value of Rp 100,000.

Makhludi, one of Sumadi's victims, noticed that Sumadi was wearing his shirt on Feb. 23. Sumadi was detained on Mar. 2.

Meanwhile, in a separate hearing, Dedi Rusnadi was sentenced to six months in prison for stealing his neighbor's iron and wristwatch on Feb. 25.

"We no longer have an iron at home," Dedi, a resident of the Kebun Pala subdistrict in East Jakarta, told the court.

"Were the items you stole worth the shame that you have brought upon yourself and your family?" judge Basoeki asked Dedi.

"I regret my wrongdoings," answered Dedi. (14)