Gabriele Jungkak Anak Steward, 23, pleaded guilty to committing mischief under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum five-year prison term or a fine or both.

He faces another three months in jail if he failed to settle the fine.

He was charged with removing and damaging the Hindu idol which was connected to a water fountain belonging to TS Dineshwaran before hurling it into a dustbin at Taman Scientex Senai.

The Malaysian Gazette reported that Gabriele, who was not represented, told the magistrates’ court in Kulai that he threw away the Lord Ganesha statue as he claimed it “disturbed” him when he walked by it.

He told the court he had similarly removed other ornamental statues before.

Magistrate Shariffa Maleeha Syed Hussin advised the accused to accept living with other communities and to be respectful of other people’s belongings.