BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A 20-YEAR-OLD man accused of armed robbery at a petrol station in Jerudong is claiming trial after he entered a not guilty plea yesterday.

The defendant, Hj Muhammad Dhiyaulhaq Hj Ariffin, is accused of stealing $3,900 from the Mar’azmala Petrol Station, Jerudong on September 16 at about 9.50pm where he allegedly used a machete to threaten one of the staff.

The robbery charge carries a 30-year jail term and 12 strokes of the cane, and an additional seven years jail with no less than 12 strokes of the cane if the robbery was committed with a deadly weapon.

Intermediate Court judge Pg Hjh Hanani Pg Hj Metussain will be presiding over the trial while Deputy Public Prosecutor Dk Siti Nurul Fairuz Pg Hj Rosli and Prosecuting Officer Mohammad Danial Dato Hj Kifrawi will appear for the prosecution.

Hj Muhammad Dhiyaulhaq, who is represented by defence counsel Hj Mohammad Rozaiman, has been released on a $10,000 court bail pending the start of the trial on May 18, 2015.

The court has ordered the defendant to not approach the petrol station and the prosecution witnesses as well as not to commit further offences while out on bail.

A 10pm and 7am curfew was also imposed on the defendant.

It was previously reported that Hj Muhammad Dhiyaulhaq was arrested on September 17 around 1am at his home in Perpindahan Kg Rimba, less than a day after the alleged incident occurred.

The Brunei Times