GEORGE TOWN: Four car repossessors were fined RM3,000 each, in default three months’ jail, by the Magistrate’s Court here Thursday (Feb 10) for possession of weapons in a riot on an expressway last month.

       Magistrate Nur Melati Diana Abdul Wahab meted out the punishment to the four - Tan Cheng Hooi, 50; Y.A. Dharanidharan, 30; Lee Soon Aun, 36; and Khoo Boo Aik, 47 - after they pleaded guilty to the charge.

       The four of them, together with four others who pleaded not guilty, were charged with participating in a riot and were in possession of crash helmets, chain and padlock at the Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway at 2.13pm on Jan 26.

       They were all charged under Section 148 of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment for up to five years or a fine, or both, if found guilty.

       The four who pleaded not guilty to the charge were S. Surendren, 27; N. Lekkeswaran, 27; Muhammad Zhafar Megat Zabil, 22; and Muhammad Faiez Ahmad, 21. They were represented by lawyers Malkit Kaur and Dilsimran Kaur.

       They were allowed bail of RM2,500 with one surety each and the court set March 11 for mention.

       Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohammad Nazri Abdul Rahim prosecuted, while Tan, Dharanidharan, Lee and Khoo were represented by lawyer Kenzaly Goik.

       Meanwhile, in the same court, six individuals pleaded guiity to a charge of committing affray (fighting in a public place) and disturbing public peace.

       Muhammad Ridzuan Rawther, 33; Rais Ahmad Mohamud Hussain, 38; Anwar Ibrahim Noorkan, 39; Jamil Kader Gani, 36; Mohamad Khrom Mohamad Salam, 32; and Ridzuan Mohamad Salam, 30; were charged with committing the offence at Kedai Astaka Medan Renong, Padang Kota Lama, at 11.40pm on Feb 1.

       The charge was framed under Section 160 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to six months or a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or both, if found guilty.

       Magistrate Nur Melati Diana allowed them bail of RM2,000 in one surety each and set March 16 for mention.

       The four accused were represented by lawyer Anil Singh Khera, while Nazri also prosecuted in the case. - Bernama