{
  "id": 17748223,
  "title": "Jobless father of five jailed for stealing RM394 worth of baby formula, groceries",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/jobless-father-of-five-jailed-for-stealing-rm394-worth-of-baby",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T05:16:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1568937/jobless-father-five-jailed-stealing-rm394-worth-baby-formula"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 43-year-old father of five from Kelantan was sentenced to six months in jail on November 1 after pleading guilty to stealing RM394 worth of baby formula, Milo, snacks and other items from a supermarket. The Kota Baru Magistrate's Court considered the accused's financial hardship and family responsibilities but noted that such circumstances alone do not warrant a lighter sentence. The judge cited a Tamil proverb about not committing immoral acts even when starving, and emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence due to the accused's prior conviction for cheating. Despite the mitigating factors, the court imposed a six-month jail term, which is lighter than the typical one to three-year range for theft under Section 380 of the Penal Code.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: A 43-year-old father of five was sentenced to six months' jail for stealing RM394 worth of baby formula and groceries from a supermarket in Kelantan last month.",
  "key_points": [
    "43-year-old father of five sentenced to six months in jail",
    "Jailed for stealing RM394 worth of baby formula and groceries",
    "Court considered financial hardship but emphasized deterrent sentence"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The court's decision to impose a shorter sentence reflects a judicial attempt to balance individual financial hardship against the necessity of maintaining legal deterrents for repeat offenders.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}