SIBU: An escaped prisoner who is also a former Covid-19 patient has been sentenced to four months' jail for breaking out of Sibu Prison by a Magistrate's Court here.

       Lee Ka Yieng, 49, was also fined RM2,000 in default two months' imprisonment as a further penalty for the offence under Section 224 of the Penal Code after he pleaded guilty on Monday (Nov 8).

       Magistrate Mohd Syukri Mokhtar ordered that Lee's sentence should run from Nov 1, the date of his arrest.

       According to the facts of the case, Lee – while being held in prison for another offence – had at about 12.30pm on May 30 damaged the cell lock, climbed over the fence beside his cell and ran into town.

       He had earlier tested positive for the coronavirus and was a close contact of others while in prison.

       Lee was arrested on Nov 1 by Sibu and Sarikei CID officers at the compound of the Sarikei police station.