Slipper thief gets 7 months in jail

BOGOR (JP): Twenty-five-year-old Handi Umar burst into tears when the local district court on Tuesday sentenced him to seven months in jail for stealing five pairs of leather slippers.

Presiding judge Elsa Mutiara said the defendant stole the slippers on Apr. 12 from a Kijang van belonging to Ace Tadjidun.

"Ace had parked his van at a nearby market when the defendant stole a plastic bag containing five pairs of slippers from the back of the van," Elsa said.

The van contained several packages of leather and plastic slippers.

Elsa said Handi was apprehended by Ace's driver, Agus Susanto, who witnessed the crime.

The defendant attempted to flee but was caught shortly afterward as he was about to board a passing angkot (public minivan), the judge said.

"The defendant violated Article 362 of the Criminal Code on theft," Elsa said.

Prosecutor M. Manik had been seeking a one-year jail term for the defendant due to his criminal record.

"He has been caught stealing twice before: medicines in 1995 and an iron this year. He has been detained, but his cases have never reached the courts before," Manik said. (24/ylt)