ALOR SETAR: A wireman was fined RM4,500 by the Magistrate's Court here today after pleading guilty to mischief by damaging 50 flags of a political party that were hoisted along a roadside in Pendang three days ago.

Magistrate Muhammad Zul Hilmi Latif meted out the fine, in default 12 months' jail, on Burhanuddin Hussain, 41, for his action which involved losses amounting to RM1,600.

He was charged with committing the offence at a roadside of Jalan Kampung Alor Parit, Jalan Bukit Raya in Pendang, between 10 am and 11.30 am last Nov 14.

The charge was framed under Section 427 of the Penal Code which provides imprisonment for up to five years or a fine or both, if found guilty.

In mitigation, lawyer Siti Sabirah Ramli, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, said the accused is a widower earning RM1,200 a month and supporting a 17-year-old daughter and a 77-year-old mother.

Deputy public prosecutor Asmaa' Zamri prosecuted.

-- BERNAMA