Engkapi Keai, 47, pleaded guilty to the robbery charge after it was read out before Muar sessions court judge Nariman Badruddin by an interpreter, Harian Metro reported.

In pleading for a lighter sentence, Engkapi said he resorted to committing the crime as his second child had been admitted to hospital and he did not have the money to pay the fees.

“I had no choice and was desperate. I wanted to borrow some money but no one was willing to give me any.

“I deeply regret my actions and beg the court to impose a lighter punishment,” said Engkapi, who was unrepresented.

Engkapi was charged with robbing a worker at a construction site in Serom, Sungai Mati, Tangkak, Johor, at around 2am on Oct 27.

The charge was framed under Section 392 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine.

According to the facts of the case, he had initially gone to the construction site in search of a job but was unsuccessful as there were no vacancies.

He then returned to the site and stole a worker’s handphone. He managed to sell the phone before the victim filed a police report the same day.

After hearing submissions from Engkapi and deputy public prosecutor Arif Marzuki, the judge imposed the jail term and ordered for it to begin from the date of his arrest on Oct 27.

Engkapi was also slapped with a RM1,000 fine, or one month in prison if he fails to pay it.